The New York Times' August 5, 2023 Ukraine Starts New Diplomatic Push to Weaken Russia begins:
Ukraine made a renewed push this weekend at a gathering in Saudi Arabia to win the support of dozens of countries that have remained on the sidelines of the war — the start of a broader campaign in the months ahead to build the diplomatic muscle to isolate and weaken Russia.
Ukraine and Saudi Arabia invited diplomats from some 40 governments to talks in the Red Sea port of Jeddah on Saturday. In addition to the United States and European countries, notable attendees included China, India, Brazil, South Africa and some of the oil-rich Gulf nations that have tried to maintain good relations with both Ukraine and Russia throughout the war, which began in February 2022.
Many of the countries that have declared their neutrality appear unlikely to shift their stances, though, and some reject the very concept of choosing sides, framing the war as a contest between superpowers that they want no part in.
and later:
For Saudi Arabia, which has long served as a mediator in regional conflicts, the gathering in Jeddah is notable because the kingdom is involving itself prominently in a crisis of the highest global priority.
The de facto Saudi ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, invited Mr. Zelensky to speak in May in Jeddah at a gathering of Arab states, where the Ukrainian leader urged Middle Eastern rulers to stand with his country against Russia.
For Prince Mohammed, 38, the talks offered another chance to try to position himself as a world leader with influence far beyond his region and as a mediator who can bring powerful nations to the table, even as he struggles to end his own country’s involvement in a devastating war in Yemen.
Also see:
- Al Jazeera's August 6, 2023 Saudi Arabia kicks off Ukraine talks that exclude Russia.
- Politico.eu's August 5, 2023 Kyiv says Jeddah participants back Ukraine territorial integrity in any peace deal
Question: Which countries were invited, of those which subsequently declined (if it's known), and who were the most notable non-invitees? (besides aforementioned Russia)
For example, "some reject the very concept of choosing sides, framing the war as a contest between superpowers that they want no part in" certainly does describe the "notable attendees includ(ing) China, India, Brazil, South Africa and some of the oil-rich Gulf nations that have tried to maintain good relations with both Ukraine and Russia throughout the war".
However, "dozens of countries that have remained on the sidelines of the war" certainly does not seemingly describe invitees like "the United States and European countries".