Disappointing outcome of the Jeddah conference on the war in Ukraine

As soon as diplomatic terminology, which does not usually recognize failures, describes the result of the peace conference on the Russian-Ukrainian war held this weekend in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the international influence exerted by the powerful Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the strongman of the Kingdom, managed to hold the meeting, give it a certain international echo and bring together delegations from forty countries, including the United States, headed by a representative of little importance in the Secretariat of State, and China, which gave it greater prominence as it is the most relevant country among Russia's allies, the Kremlin, for its part, did not accept the participation which limited the interest that could be expected from the conversation, which was not negotiation, as was described by the promoters and practically all the participants. 

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said it had been very interesting in the search for peace and could be the beginning of other similar conferences to advance proposals. Hardly any of the issues discussed have emerged except those related to the problems created for some countries as a result of Russia's breaking of agreements allowing grain exports to Ukraine from Black Sea ports. This is not only a problem for Ukraine, which is suffering the consequences for its economy, but also for other countries that need them to alleviate their food shortages at a time when the long-standing drought is so severe.  

The media coverage of the conference was overshadowed on Monday by news of the arrest of a woman who had been caught plotting to assassinate President Zelenski. 

According to details revealed in Kiev, she was a woman who was spying on behalf of Russia by leaking information about enemy strategic plans.  In particular, she was caught leaking to the Russians the secret details of the president's planned unannounced trip to the city of Mydelaiv. This information was used to promote his assassination.   

Regarding the conference, which did not produce any proposals for negotiations to end the war, the official communiqué that was released merely stated that it took place in an "extremely honest and open" atmosphere and, according to the Ukrainian delegation's spokesman, was "very productive".