Saudi Arabia summit: West and non-West begin dialogue

The meeting in Saudi Arabia is an undoubted success. Both Ukraine’s and the West's. Bringing together representatives of the Western and non-Western worlds at one table is, by the way, a slap in the face to the UN, which is not and cannot become such a platform. But the UN must be used to this.

However, the fact that the meeting was held and the process was launched is a success, but not the result. Non-Western countries do not want the war to continue, it hinders them and diverts their attention and resources. But they don't want Ukraine’s victory either, because it would be a victory for the West, which many of them do not have particularly positive feelings about. This applies to everyone, including China and India. They also do not believe in a Russian victory, and their visit to Jeddah and their desire to talk to the West and Ukraine in a separate format is the best proof of this. Therefore, they are more than satisfied with a "draw" and are ready and willing to discuss the parameters of this "draw". Of course, they continue to maintain active contacts with Russia and had consultations before this meeting. If not all of them, then almost all of them.

“Non-Western countries also see signs of fatigue in the West, and they have learnt to read Western moods. They understand that the West wants a strategic defeat of Russia, but this defeat must be comprehensive, not primarily military, as we see it, "controlled", and will include a reset of the global security system, i.e. will affect both the West and non-West”

That is why almost all non-Western countries came to Jeddah to understand what options for the future there are, where they fit in, and what are the limits of possible compromise. It is the search for compromise that is the main challenge of this process. The West and the non-West have come close to the point where they are ready to talk about it. On the one hand, a possible compromise could become a strong lever of influence on Russia, as it would definitely not meet Putin's vision. But on the other hand, it will not fit our vision of victory, and it will be almost impossible to resist the joint position of the West and non-West. Therefore, we critically need their common vision, which would not require us to make strategic concessions. Moreover, time works against everyone, but everyone has their own clock and their own pace.

Source

About the author. Pavlo Klimkin, diplomat, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

The editors do not always share the views expressed by the authors of the blogs.