Ukraine summit in Switzerland: Saudi Arabia’s refusal to participate, reaction in Russia

Saudi Arabia refused to participate in the June summit in Switzerland to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

According to diplomatic sources of the German DPA agency, Riyadh has decided to refuse to attend the conference on resolving the Ukrainian conflict. This decision is connected with the refusal to invite Russia to the summit.

Saudi Arabian officials and public authorities have not confirmed the information at this time. They also did not comment on it.

Earlier it was reported that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky will visit the kingdom on June 1. The Ukrainian leader intended to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other senior officials in the city of Jeddah and enlist the country’s support ahead of the summit in Switzerland. The visit was later cancelled.

Russia appreciates Saudi Arabia’s decision

First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov, in a conversation with Lenta.ru, said that it looks reasonable for Russia if Saudi Arabia refuses to go to the peace summit on Ukraine.

He noted that the example of Riyadh will make other countries wonder whether they should send their representatives there, and if they decide to participate, they will be extremely low-level officials.

First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs Svetlana Zhurova explained the reluctance to invite Russia to the peace conference on Ukraine in Switzerland with the phrase “they don’t want to know the truth.” The deputy also emphasized that all negotiations are always conducted with the participation of both parties. She considered any other approach wrong.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said attempts to achieve peace in Ukraine without Russia’s participation are a waste of time.

A number of countries refused to attend the conference in Switzerland

A conference on resolving the Ukrainian conflict without Russian participation will take place on June 15 and 16 at the Bürgenstock resort. Delegations from more than 160 countries are invited to the meeting. Switzerland called the purpose of the event to stimulate the future peace process.

On May 28, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that countries in the Global South should not succumb to US pressure and should skip the conference.

China refused to accept the invitation to the conference. The country’s Foreign Ministry commented on this decision.

China has always stubbornly maintained that an international peace conference must include three important elements: recognition by both Russia and Ukraine, equal participation of all parties, and impartial discussion of all peace initiatives, otherwise it will be difficult to play a significant role in restoring peace

Mao NingChinese Foreign Ministry spokesman

Brazil and China have proposed holding a new conference on Ukraine. The document became the first international declaration signed by China on the issue of a special military operation.

In turn, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said that Brazil should break off close economic relations with Russia and present it with an ultimatum. He complained of a lack of personal contact with Brazilian President Lula da Silva, claiming a “broken relationship.” According to him, the country pays too much attention to relations with Moscow.

On June 2, the Ukrainian leader pointed out attempts to disrupt the summit in Switzerland. As Bloomberg clarified, US President Joe Biden will most likely not take part in the conference due to his busy schedule.

On the same day, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó said that Hungary had not yet confirmed its participation in the conference. The politician wondered whether a peace conference made sense if there were no parties to the war.