Though the Jeddah Ukraine Peace Summit may not have started peace negotiations or yielded a draft on how to end the war, it was successful from many other perspectives.
Delegates from 42 countries participated in the two-day Summit. It was the second of its kind after similar deliberation took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, earlier this summer. A difference to note is that Denmark is pro Ukraine while Saudi Arabia is considered politically neutral on the issue, so having the Summit in Saudi Arabia is distinct from this respect.
The delegations comprised, amongst many other countries reps, allies to Ukraine such as the US, Canada, and the European Union, and neutral countries such India and China that remain on the fence.
Ukraine knew there would be limitations to what it would gain from the summit. It had also expected tension even altercations, though none occurred. “I expect that the conversation will be difficult, but behind us is truth, behind us — goodness,” Andriy Yermak, President Zelensky’s key envoy for the talks.
One goal for Ukraine was to get support from countries that have remained neutral to the war. To have Saudi Arabia and BRICS members, such as India, Brazil, South Africa, and China deliberate with the staunch Ukraine allies, and to have the delegates speak and garner support for Ukraine’s peace plans was an opportunity like no other.
In fact, all attending delegations backed Ukraine’s independence and territorial rights, and the only peace plan discussed was the one presented by Ukraine. This, too, is yet another achievement for Ukraine.
Also, to have the Summit take place in Saudi Arabia goes against Russia’s rhetoric that Ukraine is supported only by the West, and none other than the West cares about the war. The number of delegates descending on Jeddah from all over the world affirms that this war is affecting everyone around the globe, and all countries are pursuing all means to end it.
Zelensky utilized the Summit to speak to developing countries hit hard by the war and to have them listen to his call for peace and how it would benefit them. “…on issues such as food security, the fate of millions of people in Africa, Asia and other parts of the world directly depends on how fast the world moves to implement the peace formula,” he said.
That Russia was not invited to attend has its pros and cons. Without Russia nothing substantial would have materialized, but with Russia chances are many of Ukraine’s allies would not have attended, so Saudi Arabia opted for the second option knowing that it would yield some progress if not all.
Ukraine says that it was a “huge blow” for Russia not to be invited; this may be a correct statement, but it also meant that the Summit would come up with restricted resolutions. Celso Amorim, the head of Brazil's delegation, stressed that "any real negotiation must include all parties." He also said, "Although Ukraine is the biggest victim, if we really want peace, we have to involve Moscow in this process in some form."
The host, Saudi Arabia, via the Summit, emphasized its global presence and the role it wants to play, that of global mediator and peace broker. As the Kingdom repairs ties with adversaries, it seeks a more fundamental global role with all existing powers.
And Saudi Arabia can become a dominant geopolitical player. According to Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid of Alarabiya, “Today, it [Saudi Arabia] stands in the middle. Most of its oil is sold to China, but it is also one of the biggest trade partners with the US in the Middle East. It maintains good relations with Putin as well as Zelensky.” Last fall, Saudi Arabia played a prominent role in releasing western mercenaries captured by Russian forces.
Just by being present, China managed to add clout to the Summit. The Canadian Globe and Mails says, “The biggest diplomatic prize would be endorsement from China, which has maintained close economic and diplomatic ties with Russia and so far, rejected internationals calls to condemn the invasion.”
Many doubted China’s attendance because of these ties with Russia, but China may have been there to counterbalance the views of the majority. According to Charles Kupchan of the Council of Foreign Relations, a think tank, “China has an important role to play here, mainly because if anybody has influence over Putin, it is Xi Jinping. We will need China to lean on Moscow at the appropriate moment."
China also hopes to play a prominent role worldwide and become a broker of peace. A few months back, China brokered a deal by which the resumption of ties between Saudi Arabis and Iran took place. This agreement was highly unthinkable a few years back and provides tranquility across the Middle East and may ultimately end the war in Yemen.
China had been invited to the Copenhagen talks but did not attend. This time round, China attended, and backs further talks on the issue. According to The Guardian, China “participated actively and was positive about idea of a third meeting at this level.” While Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson at the Chinese ministry, said in a statement that: “China is willing to work with the international community to continue to play a constructive role in promoting a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine.”
For 42 countries to gather in Jeddah to discuss an end to the Ukraine war is a step in the right direction. Discussions and deliberations are vital because, hopefully, they will manufacture a consensus at the end and shift the paradigm from the battlefield to the negotiating table.
The Jeddah Summit may have shortened the distance between the rivals somewhat. As a follow up, another meeting will take place in approximately six weeks.
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