Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy with Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Gulf Summit, Jeddah, May 19, 2023
I joined India’s WION News on Monday to evaluate the importance of a summit organized by Saudi Arabia for more than 30 countries — but not Russia — to consider Ukraine’s Peace Formula to end Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
I describe the Ukrainian proposals and the significance of the Saudis — who have maintained a careful neutrality throughout the invasion — arranging a global forum in defiance of Moscow’s wishes.
This shows that there is a willingness to discuss the Ukrainian Peace Formula as a way out of the war, even if Vladimir Putin continues to oppose it.
This is probably the most significant international pressure on Putin since February 24, 2022.
[Editor’s Note: I know this is the talking point of uninformed pro-Kremlin activists, but it still makes me smile.]
The Saudis are going to give Zelensky a good talking-to.