Momentum is building ahead of Russia-Ukraine peace talks being held in Saudi Arabia this weekend, as President Zelensky accelerates attempts to persuade countries in the global south to back his proposals for ending the war.

Admittedly, “peace talks” is an ever-so-slightly misleading term, when only one of the two warring sides has been invited to attend.

Ukraine, which is organising the summit alongside the Saudis, has made it plain that Russia is not welcome.