Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna, has conveyed the sentiment that the consultations held in the Saudi city of Jeddah on August 5-6, focused on the resolution of the Ukrainian situation, lacked meaningful purpose in the absence of Russia's involvement.
"In essence, this meeting was unrelated to peace-making endeavors. Russia was not extended an invitation," he posted on the X social media platform (formerly Twitter).
The diplomat highlighted that such a gathering holds little significance without Moscow's participation. "Regrettably, actual policy in international relations is being substituted by public relations and propaganda events," Ulyanov remarked.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the consultations in Jeddah convened national security advisers and delegates from over 40 countries and international organizations, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Qatar, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and the United Nations. The discussions represent a continuation of Saudi Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud's endeavors since March 2022 to address the Ukrainian crisis, as noted by the agency.
Russia did not receive an invitation to the event. Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned that Moscow will closely follow the proceedings, though the objectives remain to be comprehended. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented that the meeting in Saudi Arabia appears to be "an effort to exploit the genuine intentions of a range of states in order to craft an anti-Russian coalition," but it could be constructive if it aids the Western understanding of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's so-called peace plan's impasse.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS