GCC says supports 'peaceful efforts' to address Russia-Ukraine conflict

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said on Wednesday that GCC member states support "peaceful efforts" aimed at resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In a phone conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Albudaiwi emphasized the significance of reviving the Black Sea Grain Initiative to facilitate the export of grains, essential food, and humanitarian supplies in order to improve the food security of affected countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The two sides also discussed the latest developments of the Ukraine crisis.

Albudaiwi said the GCC's stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict is based on the principles of international law and the UN Charter, which underscores the importance of upholding the existing international order on the basis of respecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of states, non-interference in their internal affairs, and the avoidance of using or threatening to use force.

The two officials also vowed to move forward toward drafting a joint action plan that includes significant issues serving the interests of both sides.

Peaceful efforts by various parties

Earlier this month, a peace summit over the Russia-Ukraine crisis was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Senior officials from some 40 countries including the U.S., China and India attended the meeting. The two-day meeting is part of a diplomatic push by Ukraine to build support beyond its core Western backers by reaching out to Global South countries, but the meeting didn't invite Russia which said it would keep an eye on the talks.

Countries that participated in the talks didn't reach a joint statement, but according to Andriy Yermak, head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office, the countries agreed that any peace treaty to end the crisis must be based on respect for the territorial integrity of Ukraine and the UN Charter. Besides, it's reported that a plan for further talks would be presented by the Saudis, with working groups to discuss issues such as global food security, nuclear safety and prisoner releases.

Aside from the gulf country's peace efforts, other states have also been trying to settle the crisis with peaceful solutions.

In May, China sent a special envoy to Europe, seeking to ease the Ukraine crisis. During the 12-day trip, the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui visited Ukraine, Poland, France, Germany, and the EU headquarters in Belgium and Russia.

Li said that as the first delegation sent by China, his trip didn't aim to produce immediate results but was focused on learning the stances of different parties and elaborating on China's stance on the need for peace talks in order to seek common ground.

The Chinese envoy admitted that there remain "many difficulties" ahead before Ukraine and Russia can sit down for peace talks, but he said he believes neither Ukraine nor Russia has firmly shut the door for peace talks.

One month after China's efforts, a delegation of African leaders from South Africa, Senegal, Zambia, Comoros and Egypt also started a peace mission in Kyiv and Moscow, hoping their meditation will help end the Russia-Ukraine conflict that has raged since February 2022.

The delegation presented Putin with a 10-point peace roadmap, which includes de-escalation of the conflict on both sides, diplomatic negotiations, ensuring sovereignty of states in accordance with the UN Charter, exchange of captives, lifting of restrictions on trade in grain, post-war reconstruction and others.

（Xinhua）