Saudi Arabia is set to host a peace summit in early August, organized by Ukraine, aimed at initiating negotiations to address Russia’s war on Ukraine. The summit will be held in Jeddah, a Red Sea port city. While Ukraine and Saudi Arabia have not yet confirmed the talks officially, the event will involve the participation of Brazil, India, South Africa, and several other countries. A high-level official from U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration is also expected to attend.
The planning for the summit is being overseen by Kyiv, and it is expected that Russia will not be present. Details regarding the summit, including specific dates, are still being finalized. The talks are anticipated to take place on August 5 and 6, with approximately 30 countries attending, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Saudi Arabia’s decision to host the talks comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s attendance at an Arab League summit in Jeddah in May, where he sought support from Arab nations for Ukraine. So far, Arab nations have largely remained neutral in the conflict due to their military and economic ties to Moscow.
The summit also provides an opportunity for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to enhance his reputation on the global stage. While maintaining a close relationship with Russia as part of the OPEC+ group, Saudi Arabia’s oil production cuts have raised concerns and sparked displeasure from President Biden and American lawmakers, especially considering Russia’s war on Ukraine.
In addition to seeking peace in Yemen, Prince Mohammed has aimed to establish a détente with Iran. However, the West’s relationship with Riyadh has been strained since the killing and dismemberment of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018, with U.S. intelligence agencies attributing the order to Prince Mohammed.
As the summit date approaches, more information is expected to be disclosed, and the international community will keenly observe its outcomes and potential implications for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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