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Saudi Arabia will host talks on Ukraine’s peace plan with a number of different international locations this weekend within the coastal metropolis of Jeddah, three overseas diplomats within the kingdom have mentioned.
The diplomats, who requested anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to debate the talks, mentioned that a number of international locations, together with america and European nations, together with Brazil, China and India, had been invited, although it was not instantly clear who would attend.
Russia didn’t seem like amongst these invited. The Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, mentioned that “Russia will keep watch over this assembly” however would wish “to totally perceive what objectives are being set,” Russia’s state-run Tass information company reported on Monday.
Most of the invited international locations, and Saudi Arabia, have resisted American and European stress to isolate Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine final 12 months.
Information of the talks was first reported on Saturday by The Wall Street Journal, which mentioned that Saudi Arabia would host the conferences on Aug. 5 and 6. It follows a similar event in Copenhagen in June, The Journal reported.
On Sunday, the top of Ukraine’s presidential workplace, Andriy Yermak, mentioned {that a} assembly about implementing his nation’s plan “to revive lasting and simply peace” can be held in Saudi Arabia quickly, with the attendance of world leaders’ nationwide safety and political advisers.
The 10-point Ukrainian plan goals to carry Russia accountable for struggle atrocities, and requires Moscow to give up all captured Ukrainian territory and pay damages. Russia has rejected the plan.
The Saudi authorities didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
The assembly is one other instance of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s efforts to position himself as a global leader with affect past his area — and to carve out a task for the dominion as a mediator. In Might, Prince Mohammed invited President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine to make an appearance at a summit of Arab States, the place the Ukrainian chief urged Center Japanese nations to face together with his nation in opposition to Russia and referred to as out their reluctance to take sides within the struggle.
Like many international locations within the Center East, Saudi Arabia maintains shut ties with Russia, which coordinates with the dominion on vitality costs as a key member of the OPEC Plus cartel of oil exporters.
The Biden administration has struggled to persuade Saudi Arabia and quite a lot of different nations to isolate Russia because the Kremlin wages struggle in Ukraine.
The Journal reported that Jake Sullivan, the U.S. nationwide safety adviser, was anticipated to take part within the coming talks, however the Biden administration has not but commented.
Edward Wong contributed reporting.
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