No meaningful peace in Ukraine without Russia – Saudi Arabia
Russia’s participation is critical to any credible negotiations aimed at ending the Ukraine conflict, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud has said.
Speaking at the international Ukraine ‘peace conference’ in the Swiss resort of Burgenstock, Prince Faisal reiterated the kingdom’s commitment to “supporting all efforts at reaching an end” to the fighting between Moscow and Kiev and “achieving sustainable and just peace and security.”
He noted that any meaningful progress “will require difficult compromise” between the parties. “It is essential to emphasize that any credible process will need Russia’s participation.”
Faisal highlighted the importance of “peacefully resolving differences through dialogue,” expressing Saudi Arabia’s readiness to “mediate and bring the conflict closer to a solution.”
Several major countries, including Russia and China, did not attend the Swiss-held event promoted as a ‘peace conference’. Moscow was not formally invited and has accused the organizers of being unwilling to consider its terms for peace, arguing that the West was trying to use the summit to force “an ultimatum” on Russia.
The summit is thought to revolve around the ten-point ‘peace formula’ proposed by Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, which Moscow has firmly rejected. Russian President Vladimir Putin laid out his own terms for a ceasefire on Friday. Ukraine and its Western backers have dismissed his proposals as well.
