Zelenskiy Says Hopes 'Jeddah Talks' to be Stepping Stone to Peace

Ukrainian and Western officials have said the summit would not involve Russia - AP
Ukrainian and Western officials have said the summit would not involve Russia - AP
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Zelenskiy Says Hopes 'Jeddah Talks' to be Stepping Stone to Peace

Ukrainian and Western officials have said the summit would not involve Russia - AP
Ukrainian and Western officials have said the summit would not involve Russia - AP

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday he hoped a Ukraine "peace summit" could be held this autumn, and that this week's talks in Saudi Arabia were a stepping stone towards that goal.

Zelenskiy told Ukrainian diplomats in a speech published on the president's website that almost 40 countries would be represented at the meeting in Jeddah on Aug 5 and 6.

"We are working on making it (the summit) happen this fall," he said.

"Autumn is very soon, but there is still time to prepare for the summit and involve most of the world's countries."

Also, Andriy Yermak,Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, affirmed in a tweet that there are preparations for the next meeting of national security advisers regarding the implementation of the Peace Formula, "which will soon take place in Saudi Arabia".

"It was one of my speech points at the Congress of local and regional authorities under the Ukrainian President," he added.

Zelenskiy and his team are working with allies to build broad support for a "peace summit" that would endorse principles to underpin a settlement to end the war started by Russia's full-scale invasion almost 18 months ago.

The summit would build on a 10-point plan outlined by Kyiv last autumn that has been actively promoted by Zelenskiy.

His vision for peace calls for the full restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity and a full withdrawal of Russian troops, the protection of food and energy security, nuclear safety, the release of all prisoners, and other points.

No venue has been agreed for the summit yet.

 

 



EU Agrees 17th Package of Sanctions on Russia

People queue in front of EU Commission and council during the European Institutions Open Day in Brussels, Belgium, 10 May 2025. EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET
People queue in front of EU Commission and council during the European Institutions Open Day in Brussels, Belgium, 10 May 2025. EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET
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EU Agrees 17th Package of Sanctions on Russia

People queue in front of EU Commission and council during the European Institutions Open Day in Brussels, Belgium, 10 May 2025. EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET
People queue in front of EU Commission and council during the European Institutions Open Day in Brussels, Belgium, 10 May 2025. EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET

The EU on Wednesday approved a fresh package of sanctions on Russia, clamping down on its "shadow" oil fleet, as Europe threatens further punishment if Moscow does not agree to a Ukraine truce.

The new measures against the Kremlin -- the 17th round of sanctions from the EU since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine -- were in the pipeline before European leaders issued their latest ultimatum to Moscow over US-led peace efforts.

Diplomats representing the EU's 27 member states approved the package at a meeting in Brussels, according to the Polish presidency of the bloc.

The package -- set to be formally adopted on Tuesday -- includes blacklisting some 200 oil tankers used to circumvent curbs on Russian oil exports.

Companies in countries including Vietnam, Serbia and Türkiye accused of helping supply goods to the Russian military are also set to face restrictions, AFP reported.

Dozens of Russian officials are to be added to the nearly 2,400 people and entities already facing visa bans and asset freezes.

The package also brings sanctions on Russian individuals over cyberattacks, human rights abuses and sabotage in Europe.

Officials admit that the latest round of sanctions against Moscow are relatively limited compared to previous packages as the EU finds it more difficult to agree targets.

Further to these measures, EU leaders have threatened Russia with "massive sanctions" if it doesn't agree to a 30-day ceasefire proposal backed by the United States.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned Russia on Tuesday that it would face additional European sanctions if there was no "real progress" this week towards peace in Ukraine.

Merz urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a Ukraine ceasefire and peace with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Istanbul on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump has said he could attend talks in Türkiye if Putin and Zelensky sit down, but so far there has been no indication from the Kremlin that Putin will attend.