Last month, a secret meeting was held between Ukraine, the G7 countries, and a small group of countries from the global South to try to gain support for Ukraine's conditions for peace talks with Russia. This was reported by Bloomberg.
This secret meeting of national security advisers took place on December 16 in Saudi Arabia and served as a forum to discuss Ukraine's peace strategy and possible interactions with Russia. This was done in accordance with the strategy of countering Russia's attempts to define Ukraine as not ready for peace talks.
According to sources, the meeting was held in a secret format in order to create a more favorable climate for discussion. The size of the group allowed for a more open discussion of Ukraine's peacekeeping plans and prospects for future cooperation with Russia.
According to Bloomberg, the allies' opposition has been weakening in recent months. In the US and EU, approval of more than $100 billion in vital aid for Ukraine is wavering, and last year's counteroffensive failed to make much difference on the battlefield.
Informants familiar with the developments said that no significant progress was made at the latest meeting in Riyadh. Ukraine and the G7 allies continue to refrain from proposals from the South to engage directly with Russia.
Moscow condemned the efforts of the allies, claiming that it, as an aggressor, was not invited to such meetings. While countries such as India, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey attended the December meeting in Riyadh, other major South American countries such as China, Brazil, and the UAE were absent.
The sources also said that many countries consider China key to influencing Moscow because of the close ties between the two countries. Brazil, this year's G20 chair, has expressed its views in writing.
It is noted that Ukraine and its G7 allies reaffirmed their support for a just peace that respects Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The EU and the US reaffirmed their confidence in providing assistance, despite the difficulties in recent months.