JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine appealed to Arab leaders assembly in Saudi Arabia on Friday to not bend to Russian affect as he started a brand new diplomatic tour to shore up worldwide help forward of a broadly anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Mr. Zelensky addressed the Arab League summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, earlier than he was anticipated to be part of the Group of seven summit in Japan this weekend — both nearly or in particular person — as he tries to win commitments for continued arms and help from the world’s wealthiest democracies.

In his remarks, Mr. Zelensky referred to as on leaders of Arab states, together with some that keep heat relations with Russia, to assist save Ukrainians “from the cages of Russian prisons.”

“Sadly there are some on the planet, and right here amongst you, who flip a blind eye to these cages and unlawful annexations, and I’m right here so that everybody can take an trustworthy look, irrespective of how exhausting the Russians attempt to affect,” Mr. Zelensky mentioned.

Making his newest diplomatic tour days after barnstorming by a number of European capitals, Mr. Zelensky was invited by Saudi Arabia to take part within the summit, the place he was to fulfill with the dominion’s chief, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and others. Mr. Zelensky wrote on Twitter that his journey aimed “to boost bilateral relations and Ukraine’s ties with the Arab world.”

Mr. Zelensky mentioned that one other precedence for his conferences with Arab leaders was to debate the safety of Ukrainian Muslims together with Crimean Tatars, a protracted marginalized group whose homeland Russia has occupied since 2014. It was an instance of how Mr. Zelensky has sought to tailor his messages to overseas audiences through the battle.

Key states within the Arab world have walked a nice line between Ukraine and Russia since Moscow’s invasion practically 15 months in the past. Some Gulf States have supplied substantial help to Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion. However oil-rich Saudi Arabia, particularly, has tried to place itself as a mediator and doesn’t need to be seen as taking sides.

In a speech on the summit, Prince Mohammed mentioned that the dominion is dedicated to easing Ukraine’s humanitarian disaster and “is constant to exert efforts to mediate between Ukraine and Russia.”

Saudi Arabia pledged $400 million in help to Ukraine earlier this 12 months. The United Arab Emirates, which maintains a detailed relationship with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia, has additionally pledged greater than $100 million in help for Ukraine.

A key focus of america and Western allies has been attempting to cease Russia from discovering new provides of weapons. U.S. and NATO officers have tried to hinder Russia’s home manufacturing by imposing sanctions and export controls, and have put diplomatic strain on international locations to reject Russian requests for arms.

Washington seems to have succeeded on this regard with at the very least one key Arab nation, Egypt.

Whereas U.S. officers have been quietly urgent Cairo to produce artillery shells to Ukraine, U.S. intelligence businesses early this 12 months gathered data, first reported by The Washington Put up, that Egyptian officers would possibly as an alternative provide weapons to Russia.

After a diplomatic push by america and Britain, the Egyptians appeared to help the People. In line with a subsequent intelligence report, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt rejected the thought of supplying the Russian aspect.

U.S. officers mentioned that Egyptian state-owned arms makers have agreed to a contract to provide artillery shells for america and American contractors, who, in flip, will ship them to Ukraine.

This Arab League summit would be the first one attended by President Bashar al-Assad of Syria in 13 years. He was lengthy shunned regionally and internationally over his violent suppression of Syria’s Arab Spring rebellion greater than a decade in the past, which grew into a protracted civil battle that continues, although preventing has floor to a standstill.

Mr. al-Assad’s forces used chemical weapons in opposition to their very own individuals through the battle, which has killed a whole lot of hundreds of individuals and displaced tens of millions. Russia supplied important help to the Syrian dictator in that battle and used techniques, together with strikes in opposition to civilian targets, that it has since employed in Ukraine.

Arab League summits are sometimes staid affairs of principally regional curiosity, however Mr. al-Assad’s reintegration has drawn widespread consideration, together with criticism from some American lawmakers and from Syrians against his rule. It has additionally sparked controversy within the area, the place many are uncomfortable with the thought of re-legitimizing a frontrunner accused of battle crimes.

Mr. Zelensky’s arrival in Jeddah appeared prone to divert some consideration away from Mr. al-Assad’s presence. Saudi state tv confirmed Prince Mohammed greeting Mr. al-Assad with kisses on the cheek and a protracted handshake, within the first in-person assembly between the 2 leaders.

Addressing Mr. al-Assad’s presence, Prince Mohammed mentioned he was happy that he was attending and had been welcomed again to the Arab League. “We hope that may contribute to help the steadiness of Syria and for issues to return to regular,” he mentioned. “All of us hope for a greater future for our area.”