As the Russia-Ukraine war continues, Saudi Arabia has taken the initiative to host multinational peace talks, primarily focusing on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s proposed peace plan. However, one crucial player will be conspicuously absent from the discussion – Russia itself.
- KSA host Ukraine Peace Talks
- Invites more than 30 countries
- Main agenda Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace plan
Set to take place in Riyadh on August 5 and 6, the talks have garnered invitations to more than 30 countries, including major Western powers and nations like India, Brazil, Indonesia, Egypt, Mexico, Chile, and Zambia. But Russia has not been extended an invitation, leaving uncertainty surrounding the potential for progress in resolving the ongoing conflict.
Russia will ‘Follow’ Riyadh Peace Talks
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged Russia’s absence and stated that despite not participating in the event, they would closely monitor the discussions. He emphasized the need to comprehend the goals set forth in the talks and the topics of discussion. While Russia’s intentions remain unchanged, any endeavor towards a peaceful resolution will receive a positive evaluation.
Russia rejects Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace plan
On the other hand, Ukraine and its Western allies hold hope that the talks will garner international support for Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace plan. The plan aims to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity, demand the complete withdrawal of Russian troops, and hold Russia accountable for its actions. However, Russia has firmly rejected this peace plan, preferring to maintain its military approach to leverage concessions from Ukraine.
With Ukraine continuing its counteroffensive to reclaim occupied territories and bolstered by Western military aid, the conflict shows no signs of abating. Ukrainian officials are enthusiastic about involving as many nations as possible in the talks to create a united front in support of their peace efforts.
Riyadh summit serves as an important diplomatic breakthrough
Saudi Arabia’s initiative in hosting the talks could have significant implications for the war’s trajectory, but experts remain skeptical about the potential for a diplomatic resolution at this stage. With Russia’s absence as the aggressor nation, the talks may face significant drawbacks from the start.
Javed Ali, a professor at the University of Michigan and former senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council said, “Russia is not party to the talks, so without their involvement as the aggressor nation this already has serious drawbacks,”
As the war stretches into its 500th day, both Ukraine and Russia appear unwilling to engage fully in the peace talks at this juncture. Each side is seeking to strengthen its position on the battlefield and garner domestic political support before considering any substantial concessions.
While the Riyadh summit may not immediately lead to a breakthrough, it serves as an important diplomatic effort in an ongoing conflict that has drawn global attention and impacted regional stability. The international community will closely watch the developments in Saudi Arabia, hoping for progress towards a lasting and peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Why KSA eagerly seeking to host the Ukrainian peace summit?
It appears that the kingdom is aiming to expand its global influence beyond the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is taking this opportunity to showcase himself as a global leader, transcending regional boundaries. The New York Times highlights that this effort goes beyond personal ambitions and includes positioning the kingdom as a mediator on the international stage.
Saudi Arabia’s motivation to host the summit also stems from a desire to shed its reputation as a biased party. In the past, the White House accused the kingdom of favoring Russia and contributing to high oil prices, which benefited Moscow financially. By facilitating the talks, Saudi Arabia aims to demonstrate its impartiality and become a credible mediator.
Western nations have endorsed the choice of Saudi Arabia as the summit’s location with the additional hope of persuading China to participate. Given China’s close ties to Moscow, having the talks hosted in Saudi Arabia could entice China to join the negotiations.
The kingdom has been proactive in positioning itself as a middle power with influence extending beyond its region while maintaining diplomatic relationships with major players like the US, Russia, and China, as recognized by the Foreign Times.
Irrespective of the outcome of the Jeddah conference, it’s clear that the war in Ukraine has financially benefited Saudi Arabia significantly. The surge in oil prices allowed Saudi state oil company Aramco to record a record profit of $161.1 billion in the previous year, a 47 percent increase from 2021, as highlighted in a recent article in The Washington Post by columnist Josh Rogin.
