Saudi Arabia astonished by accusations it is siding with Russia in Ukraine: Defense minister

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Supplied)
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Updated 16 October 2022
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Saudi Arabia astonished by accusations it is siding with Russia in Ukraine: Defense minister

  • “Iran is also a member of OPEC, does this mean that the Kingdom is standing with Iran as well?”: Prince Khalid

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is astonished by accusations that the Kingdom is siding with Russia in its war with Ukraine, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said on Sunday.

Retweeting a Twitter post by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanking Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for supporting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and announcing Saudi aid to the country, Prince Khalid said it was telling that “these false accusations did not come from the Ukrainian government.”

The minister said that some were accusing the Kingdom of standing with Russia despite the fact that the decision taken by OPEC+ on Oct.5 to cut production by 2 million barrels per day was unanimous and “due to purely economic reasons.”

“Iran is also a member of OPEC, does this mean that the Kingdom is standing with Iran as well?” the minister asked.

Meanwhile, the secretary general of OPEC Haitham Al-Ghais said on Sunday that the organization does not target a specific price, but rather targets balance between supply and demand.

“Slow economic growth reflects on oil demand and OPEC+ took a pre-emptive decision,” he said.

“The stability of oil markets is important for the future, it is not only about today. Our decisions are purely technical,” the official said.


Saudi aid agency launches food distribution projects in Djibouti and Guinea

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Saudi aid agency launches food distribution projects in Djibouti and Guinea

  • Projects to benefit 40,000 individuals across Djibouti and 50,000 in Guinea
  • KSrelief's aid programs have reached a total of 113 countries across four continents

RIYADH: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has launched its 2026 food distribution projects in the African republics of Djibouti and Guinea.

The initiatives are part of Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian relief efforts to enhance global food security for vulnerable populations, according to statements carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

In Djibouti, Saudi Ambassador Mutrek Al-Ajaleen and other local officials rolled out the fifth phase of the year’s project. It consists of 6,715 baskets of essential food items designed to support 40,000 individuals across multiple regions of the country.

In Guinea, Saudi Ambassador Dr. Fahad Al-Rashidi led the launch ceremony for a similar initiative. Under this project, 8,400 food baskets will be distributed, benefiting 50,000 people nationwide.

Since its establishment in 2015, KSrelief has served as Saudi Arabia's primary humanitarian arm, making food security one of its largest and most critical operational sectors. According to the center's official statistics, KSrelief has implemented over 1,150 dedicated food security projects at a total cost of more than $2.2 billion.

These specific food distribution initiatives have successfully delivered vital sustenance to vulnerable populations in 86 countries worldwide. Broadening the scope beyond just food security, KSrelief's overall humanitarian and development aid programs have reached a total of 113 countries across four continents.