China backs peace talks after Jeddah summit

China is said to be in support of a third round of talks to find a framework for peace in Ukraine after a meeting of senior officials from about 40 countries in Saudi Arabia last weekend.

- Lisa O'Carroll

The two-day summit in Jeddah was the second of its kind after a similar forum in Copenhagen, and aimed to draft key principles on how to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, hoped the initiative would lead to a "peace summit" of world leaders before the end of the year to endorse the principles, based on his 10-point formula for a settlement.

The talks, which excluded Russia, were attended by the US, India, the EU and China's special envoy for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui. "We have many disagreements and we have heard different positions, but it is important that our principles are shared," Li was reported by Reuters as saying before the meeting.