Ukraine peace talks to begin in Saudi

Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], August 2: Saudi Arabia will host top security officials from around 30 countries for talks this weekend aimed at forging a path to peace between Russia and Ukraine, Western diplomatic sources in Riyadh said.
The talks in Jeddah on Saturday and Sunday will be led by Saudi National Security Adviser and Minister of State Musaed Al Aiban, who extended the "secret invitations" during a meeting organised by Ukraine in Denmark in June, the sources told DPA.
Officials from the United States, European countries, Turkey and Egypt are expected to take part. Russia, however, will not attend. A Kremlin spokesman said that Moscow will monitor the meeting.
The gathering will discuss a peace plan put forward by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky late last year.
Sources said there are Saudi efforts to find a compromise accepted by both sides, with the hope that "a global peace summit" to end the war could be held later this year.
Russia's says the West must recognize territories it annexed from Ukraine before it will enter into negotiations - a demand rejected by Kiev's allies in the US and Europe.
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly offered to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. Last year, Riyadh said it helped with the release of prisoners of war.
The oil-rich kingdom and its Gulf neighbours have so far resisted Western pressure to cut ties with Russia.
Source: Qatar Tribune