JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has initiated a summit in Jeddah with senior officials from around 40 countries, excluding Russia. The purpose of the summit is to draft key principles aimed at ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the broad representation of countries, including those impacted by food price surges resulting from the war, highlighting the importance of implementing a peace formula for global food security.
Russia had recently halted its participation in a United Nations-brokered grain deal that facilitated the shipment of Ukrainian produce to areas facing food shortages. President Zelenskyy expressed hope that this initiative would lead to a “peace summit” of world leaders in the autumn. The summit aims to endorse the principles based on Kyiv’s 10-point formula for settlement, which includes respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the withdrawal of Russian troops from claimed annexed territories.
While Russia is excluded from the summit, the Kremlin stated that it will monitor the meeting’s goals and discussions. China’s attendance is noteworthy, as it is a close ally of Russia. Ukraine hopes that China will endorse President Zelenskyy’s peace plan despite its claim of neutrality in the conflict.
Saudi Arabia views the summit as an opportunity to mediate the conflict and contribute to a permanent peace solution. The country has backed UN Security Council resolutions denouncing Russia’s invasion and annexation of eastern Ukraine.
The meeting is seen as significant for Ukraine, as it can reach out to neutral nations like India and Brazil for support. Given its ties with Russia, the presence of China at the summit is particularly crucial. However, China’s relations with Russia have faced recent criticism over the treatment of Chinese citizens denied entry into Russia. This has led to concerns about the overall friendly relations between the two countries.
The Jeddah talks aim to reinforce dialogue and cooperation to find a solution to the crisis through political and diplomatic means. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s role in the summit helps elevate Saudi Arabia’s global importance. This is especially significant amid the energy crisis resulting from the Ukraine war.
Previously, informal talks in Copenhagen in June, organized by Ukraine, did not yield an official statement. In May, Saudi Arabia hosted Zelenskyy at an Arab League summit. During the summit, he called out some Arab leaders for turning a blind eye to the horrors of Russia’s invasion.
