Riyadh: A meeting focused on addressing the Ukraine crisis concluded in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with participants underscoring the importance of ongoing international endeavors to establish a common ground for peace, according to the Saudi Press Agency. During the two-day meeting, representatives from over 40 countries and international organizations, including China and the United Nations, gathered to discuss the pressing situation.

Saudi Minister of State and National Security Adviser, Musaad bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, chaired the meeting, where attendees also highlighted the significance of incorporating constructive suggestions and perspectives into their efforts.

On another front, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that an air defense system in the Moscow region successfully intercepted a Ukrainian drone that attempted to attack facilities in the area. Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties or damages resulting from this incident.

In a separate development, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a phone call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. They discussed various issues, including the now defunct Black Sea Grain Initiative. The U.S. State Department expressed gratitude to Türkiye for its leadership in the initiative, brokered by Türkiye and the United Nations in July 2022, which allowed Ukraine to export grain and agricultural products from its Black Sea ports. Unfortunately, the initiative expired after Russia suspended its participation.

However, amidst these diplomatic efforts, there were reports of violence and casualties in the conflict. Donetsk Mayor Alexey Kulemzin disclosed that a woman died, and two men were injured in a Ukrainian attack on Donetsk's Kuibyshev district. The attack also caused damage to private properties, including a cultural center, shops, and a trade pavilion. Kulemzin also claimed that Ukrainian forces targeted Donetsk University of Economics and Trade with cluster munitions, resulting in a fire outbreak.

Despite these incidents, the meeting in Jeddah concluded with a call for continued dedication to finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The international community remains committed to fostering dialogue and pursuing diplomatic solutions to bring stability and peace to the region.