The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) has said that Mexico is willing to participate in peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but only if all parties are involved.

The SRE made the statement ahead of a summit that will be held in Saudi Arabia on Aug. 5–6 to discuss a peace proposal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Russian officials will not be present, and Zelensky has insisted that he will not negotiate with Russia while occupying forces remain in Ukrainian territory.

“The Government of Mexico declares its support for the presentation and progress of peace plans and proposals aimed at ending the conflict,” the SRE said while making it clear that Mexico believes the talks should “involve both parties.”

The statement echoed the stance taken by President Andrés Manual López Obrador in his Monday morning press conference, when he suggested that Russia should also be invited to the Saudi Arabia summit.

“If there’s acceptance from both Ukraine and Russia to look for solutions to achieve peace, we’ll participate,” he said.

In its statement, the SRE called again for a cease-fire and reiterated a proposal made by President López Obrador in September 2022 to “create a group of countries and international actors that could serve as mediators between both parties.”

While Mexico voted to back a United Nations resolution condemning Russia’s invasion and sent humanitarian support to Ukraine, AMLO has refused to send arms to Ukraine or sanction Russia, saying that Mexico’s “position is one of neutrality, which has to do with [our noninterventionist] foreign policy.” 

In April, President Zelensky addressed the Mexico-Ukraine Friendship Group in the Chamber of Deputies, urging Mexico to support his peace plan. 

“Aren’t we united by the dream of safety and peace on all the streets of all the cities of our countries?” he asked.

With reports from La Jornada and Reuters