Saudi Arabia is today hosting a multinational meeting to discuss the Ukrainian conflict and seek steps towards establishing a “fair peace,” based on a formula proposed by Kiev.
Representatives from approximately thirty countries, including both Western powers and traditionally Russian-aligned countries like India and Brazil, are gathering in Jeddah.
China, which enjoys good relations with Riyadh, has confirmed its attendance, represented by its Eurasian affairs envoy, Li Hui.
This meeting follows an earlier one held in Copenhagen in June, details of which remain scarce, and also attended by Turkey and South Africa.
Advisors to government heads and representatives from various foreign ministries are in attendance, potentially paving the way for a leadership summit that Ukraine hopes to organize this autumn around Ukrainian President Volodímir Zelenski’s Peace Formula.
This ten-point formula aims not only to secure peace for Ukraine but also to establish mechanisms to counter future conflicts, including the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.
The choice of Jeddah as the meeting location is symbolically significant, as Ukrainian President Zelenski made a surprise appearance at an Arab League summit held there in May.
Russia has accused Western powers of trying to create an anti-Russian coalition at this meeting, which Russian foreign spokesperson Maria Zakharova dismissed as a “deception” and a “staging” of the “Zelenski Formula,” which she contends has “nothing to do with peace.”