Jeddah-Saudi Arabia: This weekend, Saudi Arabia is hosting a high-profile meeting in Jeddah aimed at facilitating talks on the ongoing Ukraine war. The gathering will bring together national security advisers and senior-ranking officials from an array of countries. Participants include nations from the "global south" such as India, Brazil, and South Africa, as well as European Union countries, the United States, and Canada. The main objective is to rally support around Ukraine's efforts to broker a peace plan. Of particular interest is the possible participation of China, as its engagement is seen as crucial by many participants. Saudi Arabia is making a calculated move to assert itself as a diplomatic mastermind, following a landmark deal brokered by China that resulted in the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran. This gathering represents Riyadh's latest attempt to flex its diplomatic muscle and contribute to resolving the Ukraine conflict.
Ukraine will be represented at the summit, but Russia was not invited. While countries like Brazil and India have had ambiguous stances on Russia's war against Ukraine, the European Union and Ukraine are seeking to garner their support to hold Russia accountable. The meeting in Denmark earlier this year, which was the inaugural gathering on the topic, concluded without a formal communiqué, highlighting the challenging task of rallying international support for ending the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly supports the latest initiative, viewing it as a crucial step toward a global peace summit he hopes to hold in the fall. However, defining what constitutes peace remains a formidable challenge. Ukraine advocates for its 10-point peace plan, which demands that Russia affirm Ukraine's territorial integrity and withdraw all troops, a condition Putin opposes. The two-day discussion in Jeddah will focus on various sub-themes, such as food and energy security, the release of prisoners, ecological security, and the possibility of a war crimes tribunal. European nations are expected to align their messaging ahead of the meeting, but participants face a delicate balancing act. They must strive for diplomatic progress while avoiding lending legitimacy to Russia's vision of peace, which may involve surrendering Ukrainian land.

The global summit in Saudi Arabia offers hope for progress, but it also poses a challenging balancing act for all participants. While the meeting aims to find a resolution, tensions between Ukraine and Russia persist, making the path to peace uncertain. The meeting aims to explore the possibility of brokering a peace plan for the conflict that has resulted in devastating consequences for both sides.
Russia's Vision for Peace: At the heart of the matter lies Russia's desire to have Donetsk, Luhansk, Mariupol, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea permanently under its territory. However, in a show of goodwill, Russia is willing to leave Odesa to Ukraine for sea access and future development. Failure to negotiate a peaceful resolution could result in Ukraine losing access to vital sea routes and the Black Sea Connectivity, leading to severe repercussions for its economy and people.
Continued Conflict from Ukraine's Side: Recent drone attacks on Russian assets and territory indicate Ukraine's frustration and reluctance to pursue peace talks. These attacks include a drone strike on a Russian naval ship near the port of Novorossiysk and a Ukrainian attack on a Russian tanker near Crimea. The conflict continues to intensify, making a peace agreement even more challenging to achieve.
Saudi Arabia's Diplomatic Role: This global gathering in Jeddah marks Saudi Arabia's attempt to cast itself as a peacemaker on the international stage. The Kingdom has been actively engaging in diplomatic efforts, including brokering a deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and hosting U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Ukrainian Perspective on the Peace Plan: Ukraine sees the Jeddah meeting as a critical step towards a global peace summit. While it has made progress in some regions, the country faces significant challenges due to Russia's extensive fortifications along the front lines. Ukraine's counter-offensive is ongoing, but the slow progress is a testament to Russia's defensive preparations.

The absence of Russia from the high-profile meeting hosted by Saudi Arabia in Jeddah is a notable point of interest. While the reasons for Russia's non-involvement have not been explicitly stated, it could be due to several factors:
Russia's stance on the conflict: Russia may have chosen not to participate because it believes the conflict is a bilateral matter between Ukraine and itself. Moscow might view any intervention from external parties as interference in its regional affairs.
Refusal to negotiate with certain nations: Russia could have declined to attend the meeting due to its ongoing disputes with some of the participating countries, such as the United States and the European Union, whose relations with Russia have been strained in recent times.
Preference for direct talks: Russia might prefer direct negotiations with Ukraine, where it can have more control over the process and outcomes. Participating in a larger multilateral meeting could limit Russia's ability to steer the discussions in its favor.
Diplomatic considerations: Saudi Arabia, as the host country, might have made the decision to keep Russia out of the summit to foster an environment conducive to productive discussions. It could be part of a strategic approach to bring together countries that are more aligned with Ukraine's efforts to broker a peace plan.
Regardless of the reasons, the absence of Russia at the summit may pose challenges in finding a comprehensive and inclusive solution to the Ukraine war. Dialogue and engagement with all relevant parties are crucial for lasting peace, and efforts to bring Russia to the negotiating table should continue to be explored.
Defining peace remains a significant challenge, as Ukraine insists on its 10-point peace plan, which includes Russia's reaffirmation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and withdrawal of troops. However, these conditions conflict with Russia's intentions, making reaching a compromise difficult. As the international community watches closely, the outcome of the Jeddah gathering will have far-reaching implications. The world hopes for a peaceful resolution to end the conflict in Ukraine, but the road ahead remains complex and uncertain.