Saudi Arabia concluded the second meeting of diplomatic advisers on national security to find a negotiated settlement to the Ukraine war on Sunday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's head of staff Andriy Yermak said in a statement on Sunday that the talks involved "very productive consultations on the key principles on which a just and lasting peace should be built".
Saudi Arabia said the participants agreed on the importance of continuing international consultation and exchanging views in a way that contributes to building common ground that paves the way for peace.
The meeting is considered to be a continuation of the efforts by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman since March 2022.
Leaders from foreign ministries of the some of the world's most powerful countries, including the US, China and India, met in Jeddah.
The meeting was attended by national security advisers from 40 countries, much larger than a previous meeting held in Copenhagen.
Diplomatic sources told The National the discussions were "positive" and the meeting focused on achieving a fair means to achieve peace between Ukraine and Russia.
Mr Zelenskyy's peace formula was scrutinised and talks about a fair international order took place.
Moscow on Sunday said the weekend talks in Saudi Arabia were a "doomed western attempt to align the Global South" behind Kyiv.
International delegations arrived in Jeddah on Saturday to attend the summit.
About 40 countries attended the two-day summit. While Ukraine participated, Russia, which invaded its neighbour in February 2022, was excluded.
Before the meeting, the kingdom said it was looking forward to strengthening dialogue and co-operation through the exchange of views, co-ordination and discussion at the international level.
Ukraine said it hoped the talks would be a stepping stone towards a peace summit later this year, where world leaders will find solutions to help end the war.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said his country was willing to work with the international community “to continue to play a constructive role in promoting a political solution to the crisis”.
The last international meeting on Ukraine was held in June in the Danish capital Copenhagen.
Salman Al Ansari, a Saudi geopolitical researcher, told The National Saudi Arabia was emerging as a key player in regional and international peace building.
“I'm honestly optimistic about the summit, it will be a big success compared to the Copenhagen one two months ago," he said before the meeting. "And in the spirit of realism, I don't expect an immediate breakthrough, but it will most probably pave the way for a comprehensive peace plan."
On Saturday, Mr Zelenskyy said the meeting represented "different continents, different political approaches to world affairs. But all are united by the priority of international law".
Other must-tries
Tomato and walnut salad
A lesson in simple, seasonal eating. Wedges of tomato, chunks of cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, coriander or parsley leaves, and perhaps some fresh dill are drizzled with a crushed walnut and garlic dressing. Do consider yourself warned: if you eat this salad in Georgia during the summer months, the tomatoes will be so ripe and flavourful that every tomato you eat from that day forth will taste lacklustre in comparison.
Badrijani nigvzit
A delicious vegetarian snack or starter. It consists of thinly sliced, fried then cooled aubergine smothered with a thick and creamy walnut sauce and folded or rolled. Take note, even though it seems like you should be able to pick these morsels up with your hands, they’re not as durable as they look. A knife and fork is the way to go.
Pkhali
This healthy little dish (a nice antidote to the khachapuri) is usually made with steamed then chopped cabbage, spinach, beetroot or green beans, combined with walnuts, garlic and herbs to make a vegetable pâté or paste. The mix is then often formed into rounds, chilled in the fridge and topped with pomegranate seeds before being served.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Gully Boy
Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi
Rating: 4/5 stars
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
