Global South Meeting in Saudi Arabia Attempts Peaceful End to Ukraine-Russia War
Senior officials from approximately 40 countries gathered in Saudi Arabia over the weekend for a meeting aimed at establishing principles for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The talks, organized by Ukraine, sought to garner support from nations beyond its traditional Western backers, particularly from countries in the Global South who have been hesitant to take sides in the conflict. However, Russia was notably absent from the event.
In response to the meeting, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov criticized the gathering as a futile Western attempt to rally support for Ukraine’s position. He described it as an effort to align the Global South behind Ukraine, accusing the West of pushing the so-called Zelenskyi formula, which Russia views as untenable.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed hope that the conference would pave the way for a peace summit later this year, where leaders from around the world could endorse principles for a settlement based on his proposed 10-point formula. Central to this formula is the complete withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
The meeting in Saudi Arabia signifies Ukraine’s efforts to broaden its diplomatic reach and gain support from countries that have thus far remained neutral in the conflict. By engaging with nations from the Global South, Ukraine aims to widen its coalition and exert more pressure on Russia to find a peaceful resolution.
However, the absence of Russian representation casts doubt on the likelihood of a breakthrough. Russia has consistently opposed international interference in the conflict and remains a key player in determining the outcome. Without direct engagement from Moscow, it is uncertain how successful these talks can be in achieving their goals.
As the two-day meeting comes to a close, it remains to be seen whether the discussions held in Saudi Arabia will translate into concrete progress towards ending the Ukraine-Russia war. The absence of Russia and the differing perspectives on the conflict highlight the challenges ahead. Nevertheless, Ukraine’s push for broader international support may contribute to increased diplomatic pressure on Russia to seek a peaceful resolution.
