Saudi Arabia to Host Meeting of National Security Advisors over Peace in Ukraine

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Jeddah in May. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Jeddah in May. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia to Host Meeting of National Security Advisors over Peace in Ukraine

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Jeddah in May. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Jeddah in May. (SPA)

The Saudi coastal city of Jeddah will host on August 5 and 6 peace talks on the crisis in Ukraine. The talks are a follow-up to the meetings held in Copenhagen in June.

Informed sources revealed that the Jeddah talks will be held at the level of national security advisors.

Saudi Member of the Cabinet and National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban has sent invitations to 30 countries to attend the meetings, added the sources on condition of anonymity.

The Copenhagen talks included senior officials from the G7 and European Union, including Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Türkiye.

Head of Ukraine’s presidential office Andriy Yermak confirmed the talks would be held in Saudi Arabia.

“The Ukrainian Peace Formula contains 10 fundamental points, the implementation of which will not only ensure peace for Ukraine, but also create mechanisms to counter future conflicts in the world,” Yermak said in a statement.

“We are deeply convinced that the Ukrainian peace plan should be taken as a basis, because the war is taking place on our land."

Yermak’s statement described the 10 points as being “discussed individually and in groups with representatives of more than 50 countries on an almost weekly basis.”

Previously, Ukraine has described the 10-point peace formula as including the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the withdrawal of Russian troops, the release of all prisoners, a tribunal for those responsible for the aggression and security guarantees for Ukraine.

Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman of the Jeddah-based Gulf Research Center, said Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the meeting reflects its “recent intense diplomatic activity on the international scene.”

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said the Kingdom is “paving the way for the conditions to resolve differences given the respect and appreciation it enjoys from all parties.”

The Wall Street Journal said the Saudi meeting comes at a critical time during the fight between Russia and Ukraine’s western supporters.

Saudi Arabia and Ukraine have sent invitations to 30 countries, including Indonesia, Egypt, Mexico, Chile and Zambia, to attend the talks, reported WSJ.

Ukrainian and western officials are hoping these efforts would be capped with a peace summit at a later time this year. At the summit, world leaders would sign a document of common principles to end the war. These principles will lay the foundation for future peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Western officials who spoke to the WSJ hoped that Riyadh would convince China, which is close to Russia, to attend the Jeddah meetings. Beijing did not attend the Copenhagen meeting.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had stated on Friday that Moscow was ready to hold negotiations with Kyiv, but it has refused.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously ruled out holding any negotiations with Russia.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, had received Zelenskyy in Jeddah in May on the sidelines of an Arab League summit.

He underscored to him Riyadh’s keenness on and support to all international efforts aimed at resolving the Ukrainian crisis through political means. He vowed that the Kingdom would carry on with its efforts to ease the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict.



Riyadh Int’l Humanitarian Forum Calls for Exploring the Future of Humanitarian Response

The fourth annual Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum concluded on Tuesday. (SPA)
The fourth annual Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum concluded on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Riyadh Int’l Humanitarian Forum Calls for Exploring the Future of Humanitarian Response

The fourth annual Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum concluded on Tuesday. (SPA)
The fourth annual Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum concluded on Tuesday. (SPA)

The fourth annual Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum concluded on Tuesday with a call to explore the future of humanitarian response. The event was held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Riyadh Region Governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz attended the forum that was held under the theme “Navigating the Future of Humanitarian Response.” It witnessed the participation of leaders of governments, the United Nations, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, academia, and the private sector.

In their final statement, participants expressed their gratitude to Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for his continuous support for humanitarian work.

They underlined their firm commitment to building a global community that reflects the values of compassion and is characterized by resilience.

They acknowledged the “collective duty and shared responsibility to address urgent humanitarian challenges through joint action and humanitarian diplomacy.”

They reiterated their “steadfast commitment to the fundamental humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law in all global humanitarian efforts.”

They emphasized the importance of boosting cooperation across all sectors through the development of supply chains, supporting innovative solutions, as well as strengthening local capacities and the nexus between humanitarian work, development, and peace

The gatherers reiterated support for strengthening partnerships that help in “empowering displaced individuals and communities and promote social cohesion.”

They renewed their “commitment to advancing towards sustainable and effective solutions to support affected populations, contributing to positive change in our global community.”

“As we continue our journey after this forum, let us explore the future of humanitarian response with courage, determination, and unwavering faith in the rights and dignity of every individual,” they added.

“Let us work together to ensure that our efforts are rooted in the principles of compassion and effectiveness, paving the way for significant progress towards a more just and humane world,” they stressed.