Saudi Arabia has initiated a summit in Jeddah, gathering senior officials from around 40 countries to discuss and draft key principles aimed at ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Notably, Russia is excluded from the talks. The meeting, which began on Saturday, received appreciation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for its representation of a diverse range of countries, including those heavily impacted by the war-induced surge in food prices. Zelenskyy emphasized the significance of the summit in addressing food security issues that directly affect millions of people in regions like Africa and Asia.
The initiative also hopes to pave the way for a “peace summit” of world leaders in the autumn to endorse the principles established during the Jeddah talks. These principles are based on Kyiv’s 10-point formula for a settlement, which includes respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the withdrawal of Russian troops from annexed territories.
The forum’s exclusion of Russia is due to the Kremlin’s rejection of Ukraine’s peace formula. Russia, while stating that it will “keep an eye” on the meeting, has ceased its participation in a United Nations-brokered grain deal, obstructing the shipment of Ukrainian produce through the Black Sea to regions suffering from hunger.
Significantly, the attendance of China, a staunch Russian ally, adds weight to the summit. Ukraine seeks China’s endorsement of Zelenskyy’s peace plan, though China maintains a neutral position in the conflict. China announced its participation by sending Special Envoy for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui, expressing a willingness to work with the international community to seek a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude exporter, aims to contribute to a lasting peace solution by hosting the summit and positioning itself as a potential mediator in the war. The kingdom’s readiness to exert its good offices reflects its commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
Despite being excluded from the talks, Russia has acknowledged the importance of pursuing a peaceful settlement, and its spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, has expressed a positive evaluation of any effort aimed at promoting a peaceful resolution.
The Jeddah talks are a follow-up to informal talks held in Copenhagen in June, which did not yield an official statement. With the involvement of various nations, including those with previously neutral stances, the summit provides a platform for global collaboration to find a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine.
