Saudi Arabia to Hold Meeting on Ukraine Situation
Introduction
Saudi Arabia is preparing to hold a meeting to discuss the situation in Ukraine and has sent an invitation to Western, Asian, and African states, as well as India and Brazil, according to a report on Saturday.
Meeting Details
The meeting will bring together senior officials from up to 30 countries, including Indonesia, Egypt, Mexico, Chile, and Zambia. It will take place in Jeddah on August 5 and 6, as reported by diplomats involved in the discussion.
Purpose of the Talks
Ukraine and Western officials hope that the talks, which exclude Russia, can lead to international backing for peace terms favoring Ukraine. The Kremlin claims to have annexed around a sixth of Ukraine and insists that peace talks can only proceed if Kyiv accepts “new realities,” referring to its territorial claims. On the other hand, Kyiv maintains that negotiations with Russia are only possible after Moscow withdraws its troops.
Expected Attendees
While it is unclear how many of the invited countries will attend, those that participated in a similar round of talks in Copenhagen in June are expected to do so again. Confirmed attendees include Britain, South Africa, Poland, and the European Union. Additionally, U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan is expected to be present.