According to diplomats involved in the discussion, the meeting would bring senior officials from up to 30 countries to Jeddah on Aug 5 and 6.

Western diplomats said that Saudi Arabia was picked to host the second round of talks partly in hopes of persuading China, which has maintained close ties to Moscow, to participate.

Riyadh and Beijing maintain close ties. Earlier this year, China helped negotiate a recent thaw between Saudi Arabia and its regional foe, Iran, months after the Saudis hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at an Arab summit.

Despite claiming to be working on a peace plan for Ukraine, China sat out the Copenhagen meeting. People involved in the talks said Beijing isn’t expected to attend but that it hasn’t ruled it out.

https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/saudi-arabia-to-host-ukraine-peace-talks-as-part-of-western-effort-to-woo-global-south-244f03f0

WSJ News Exclusive | Saudi Arabia to Host Ukraine Peace Talks as Part of Western Effort to Woo Global South

Washington and Europe are hoping the talks, which exclude Russia, can lead to international backing for peace terms favoring Ukraine.