Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman visited France for a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron, Paris is seeking the support of Saudi Arabia for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was on Wednesday heading to France, where he will meet President Emmanuel Macron, with Paris seeking intensified support from the oil-rich kingdom for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.

Macron’s office said the two would speak on Friday over lunch at the president’s Elysee Palace, adding that they would discuss “especially the war in Ukraine and its consequences for the rest of the world.”

The Prince’s stay in France could last some days, with MBS also due to attend a Paris summit on a New Global Financing Pact hosted by Macron on June 22-23.

On Monday, he will attend an official Saudi reception for Riyadh’s candidacy to host Expo 2030.

Prince Mohammed had already discussed the Ukraine conflict face-to-face with Macron on his last official visit to Paris in July 2022.

The pair then said they wanted to cooperate to “limit the effects” on other countries from Russia’s invasion of its neighbor.

The Elysee said Macron and MBS would also discuss “questions of regional stability,” likely including the crisis in Lebanon, where Saudi Arabia enjoys strong influence. France hopes to prod the country out of its political deadlock.

Miroslava Salazar with AFP

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