Riyadh Agenda: A New Framework for Peace and Economic Revival
The recent summit in Riyadh has sparked intense debate, most notably these last few days from Ukrainian President Zelensky. His criticism centres on Ukraine’s apparent exclusion from the peace talks. However, the purpose of the meeting is not to leave Ukraine out but to establish a comprehensive agenda for the upcoming summit between presidents Trump and Putin. The aim is to agree on broad headings and working groups, under which discussions can later accommodate all parties. In due course, either the unelected Zelensky or a nominated representative from a legitimate Ukrainian government will find their place within this framework.
At its core, the Riyadh meeting is firstly about restoring something in the way of friendly relations and trust, setting a clear agenda and a supporting process to realise this agenda, choosing the people for the organisation to run the process.
Leaders are working to define key areas of discussion, from conflict resolution to energy to economic revitalisation to a eurasian or even tripartite security architecture.. The goal, as we've said, is to create an agenda and way-of-working for addressing these issues. This will start to bring order, bearing on the chaos of ongoing conflicts over the last 33 years since the collapse of the Soviet Union, allowing for a systematic approach that eventually integrates all voices.
So Riyadh, rather than a final agreement, is about creating the necessary structure for future negotiations.... Ultimately, the goal is a new world order, "a new golden age" as Trump puts it.
On the economic front, there is a bold vision for the future. The proposal is to put an end to endless military engagements and to lift the sanctions that have long stifled economic growth. This strategy is expected to free up capital that has been locked in unproductive investments. Once released, these funds could be diverted towards public infrastructure and private research and development. In essence, the plan is to restart the American economy—and by extension, the world economy—by realigning investment towards areas that foster growth and innovation. This shift could herald a true rebirth, as productive investments replace the costs of perpetual conflict.
A crucial element of this world economic revival is the concept of liquidity. Liquidity refers to how easily assets can be converted into cash without significantly affecting their value. In modern economies, ample liquidity is essential; it ensures that money flows smoothly through financial markets and reaches businesses that need it. If liquidity dries up, even the most promising investments can falter because funds are simply not available when required. By enhancing liquidity, policymakers hope to unblock capital, allowing for greater investment in infrastructure and new technologies. This, in turn, would support sustainable growth and help stabilise the broader economy.
The strategic agenda being set in Riyadh is about more than just immediate conflict resolution—it is a forward-looking plan that seeks to transform global dynamics, it is the geopolitical vision that goes beyond Trump's apparent chequebook strategy for paying down debt and restarting the american economy using tarrifs to put manufacturing as the beating heart of the economy, rather than financials.
By agreeing on a framework agenda that spans multiple issues, the supporting process intends to create a multilateral platform of participants. This platform should gradually incorporate the concerns of Europe and Ukraine, ensuring that when their turn comes, all major players eventually have a voice. Critics may call it exclusionary, but the intention is to establish a structured process that lays the groundwork for broader inclusion later on. This means the jealous and anxious squealing of Zelensky and European leaders misunderstands what is going on. Instead, they should wait there turn and meanwhile play their role as loyal vassals and start communicating the new multipolar world order to their publics.
Zelensky needs to pay special attention to organise elections and he needs to nominate someone to represent Kiev in negotiations with Russia. The alternative to negotiation is defeat on the battlefield. Many European leaders remain tethered to outdated cold war views of Russia, some even want to send troops with air cover to Ukraine. Instead of clinging to these anachronistic ideas, they must listen, re-engage with true democratic values and genuinely represent the interests of their peoples. The alternative is to find themselves obsolete and out of office in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
In the end, while Zelensky’s objections are understandable, they reflect a short-term view of a longer process. The real breakthrough, if it comes, lies in agreeing on the agenda and the process to obtain it. If successful, this could not only pave the way for resolving protracted conflicts, but also release and inject much-needed liquidity into the global economy, staving off recession and ultimately revitalising public and private investment.
This post has been specifically about the Riyadh summit and Zelensky who is yesterday's man and "the chief thief", but take a look at the broader context and what is really happening.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Keep it clean, keep it lean