Saudi Arabia is preparing to host international peace talks on the conflict in Ukraine, with the participation of the United States, European Union, and several countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The talks, scheduled to take place in Jeddah on August 5 and 6, aim to garner support for Kiev’s peace demands and are organized by the Western powers and Ukraine. While Russia has been excluded from the gathering, approximately 30 countries have been invited, including India, Brazil, Indonesia, Egypt, Mexico, Chile, and Zambia.
Although it remains uncertain how many nations will ultimately send delegations to Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Poland, and the EU have already accepted the invitation. UN National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, is expected to attend the event. Saudi Arabia, which maintains a positive relationship with China, was chosen as the venue in hopes of persuading Beijing to participate in the talks, although it is unlikely that China will attend.
The upcoming talks in Jeddah are a follow-up to the previous meeting held in Copenhagen, Denmark in late June. The Western powers seek to secure support from major developing countries, many of which have remained neutral regarding the conflict in Ukraine. The organizers hope that the talks will pave the way for a larger international peace summit later this year, where leaders would endorse shared principles for resolving the crisis. These principles would then frame future peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, favoring Ukraine’s position.
Ukrainian President, Vladimir Zelensky, has been actively promoting his ten-point peace plan for months. The plan includes demands for Russia to withdraw its forces to Ukraine’s claimed borders, pay reparations, and submit to war crime tribunals. Russia has dismissed these terms as unrealistic and criticized Kiev for its unwillingness to engage in meaningful dialogue. Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, emphasized the need to resolve differences through negotiations.
Despite Russia’s willingness to seek a diplomatic solution, Putin highlighted the refusal of Ukraine, the United States, and NATO to engage in talks with Russia. This unwillingness to engage in dialogue further complicates efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The upcoming peace talks in Saudi Arabia serve as an important opportunity for the international community to support Ukraine’s peace demands and work towards a resolution to the ongoing conflict. The inclusion of diverse countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America demonstrates the global importance of finding a peaceful settlement and encourages wider participation in the search for a solution. As the talks approach, the international community eagerly anticipates meaningful discussions that can pave the way for a lasting peace in Ukraine.
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