KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope for a “peace summit” to be convened in autumn, viewing the talks in Saudi Arabia this week as a stepping stone towards that objective.
The upcoming meeting, to be held in Jeddah on August 5 and 6, will see representation from nearly 40 countries.
Addressing Ukrainian diplomats, Zelensky said that efforts are underway to make the summit a reality in the coming fall. Despite the limited time frame, he believes there is still an opportunity to prepare for the event and garner support from most of the nations.
Building Peace Bridges Through Peace Summit
The primary objective of the “peace summit” is to establish fundamental principles that will serve as the foundation for a settlement to the ongoing conflict, which was sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion almost 18 months ago. President Zelensky and his team are working closely with allies to garner widespread support for their vision of peace, building upon a 10-point plan presented by Kyiv last autumn.
Zelensky’s vision for peace calls for the complete restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the full withdrawal of Russian troops, ensuring food and energy security, nuclear safety, and the release of all prisoners, among other crucial points.
While the summit’s venue has not been confirmed, Ukrainian and Western officials have clarified that Russia will not be partaking in the discussions.
