Baghdad , Iraq- Iraq has praised Saudi Arabia’s hosting of talks between the United States and Russia, aimed at addressing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, calling it a significant move toward regional and global peace. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry expressed its approval on Wednesday, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s active involvement in diplomatic efforts to resolve international conflicts amidst ongoing security challenges in the region.
The ministry’s statement emphasized that this initiative demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s crucial role in supporting global diplomatic dialogues, particularly in the face of complex geopolitical tensions. “These talks are essential in fostering international cooperation and contributing to stability, especially as Arab nations share similar security and political challenges,” it said. It further stressed the importance of sustained joint action to ensure peace and security both in the region and on the global stage.
The discussions, which began on Tuesday, were attended by senior officials from both the US and Russia in Riyadh, including Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and National Security Advisor Musaad Al-Aiban. These talks aim to ease rising tensions between the two world powers and address the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The meeting has been seen as a precursor to a possible summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, potentially hosted in Saudi Arabia.
Despite the diplomatic efforts, the situation on the ground remains volatile. On Tuesday night, Russian drones carried out sporadic attacks, including explosions heard in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. According to the Ukrainian military, 176 drones were launched, with 103 shot down and 67 failing to hit their targets. The fate of the remaining six drones remains unclear, though several regions, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Cherkasy, were affected by the strikes.
The city of Odesa, a key port on the Black Sea, also suffered extensive damage. Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov reported that the Russian drone strikes resulted in power, water, and heating outages across the city, affecting hospitals, clinics, and essential services.
In response, Moscow claimed to have intercepted and downed 21 Ukrainian drones within the span of an hour, intensifying the military back-and-forth between the two nations.
While the situation remains tense, Iraq’s endorsement of Saudi Arabia’s role underscores the potential of diplomacy in mitigating global conflicts, marking a pivotal step in the ongoing search for peace in the region and beyond.
