ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Saudi Arabia is set to host peace talks on Ukraine next month, news outlets reported on Saturday night, with over 30 countries expected to attend.
A Saudi official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Associated Press on Saturday night that a Ukrainian-organized peace summit will take place in Jeddah early next month.
The official added that Russia is not invited to the summit while a high-level delegation from US President Joe Biden’s administration is expected to participate.
Saudi and Ukrainian officials have not commented on the reports. The Wall Street Journal initially broke the news of the reported summit, stating it will take place on August 5 and 6, with countries including India, Brazil, and South Africa expected to attend.
The reported summit is likely the product of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s attendance in the Arab League summit in Jeddah in May where he urged for the support of Arab nations which have remained neutral throughout the war.
Saudi Arabia enjoys close ties to Russia as part of the OPEC+ but hosting such a summit would boost Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s image internationally. Although ties with the West remain strained, particularly over the Gulf country’s human rights record, Riyadh has received praise for reaching a rapprochement with Iran and for pushing for a resolution of the war in Yemen.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, with the war causing a rise in oil and food prices across the globe. Arab countries have treaded carefully with their condemnations due to their political and military ties to Moscow.
In April, during a visit by his Ukrainian counterpart, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein offered Baghdad’s support to mediate between Kyiv and Moscow.
