Truss thanks the Saudi prince for his help in freeing five Britons imprisoned by pro-Russians in Ukraine

MADRID, 27 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) -

UK Prime Minister Liz Truss has thanked Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman for brokering the release of five British citizens who were captured by pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.

Appreciation for the "personal role" the Saudi prince played in freeing these five Britons came Monday night during Truss's first official call to another international leader since he took office some three weeks ago.

Among the "variety of issues" discussed, both have addressed the "strategic association" that both countries share, including their cooperation in defense and energy security.

On the other hand, both have celebrated "the progress" that has been made in an attempt to end the war in Yemen and have agreed "on the importance of continuing the political dialogue to extend the truce," he said in a statement on the 10th. of Downing Street.

Lastly, Truss has offered the support of his Government with regard to the progress of internal reforms in Saudi Arabia, while Bin Salmán has sent his condolences for the recent death of Elizabeth II.

In June, when Truss was still Minister for Foreign Affairs, she defended the economic and diplomatic relations of the British Government with Saudi Arabia despite the dubious record of both Riyadh and the rest of the absolutist monarchies of the Gulf, arguing that "the world does not it is perfect".