Hosting US-Russia peace talks boosts Saudi Arabia's international stature as a neutral mediator
Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia hosted on Tuesday historic US-Russia talks aimed to end the Ukraine-Russia war. This is in line with the directive of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The Riyadh talks reaffirm Saudi Arabia's key role in facilitating dialogue between the two global powers.
This significant diplomatic move is part of Saudi Arabia's relentless efforts and leadership role in promoting peace and enhancing security in the world. Saudi Arabia is now taking centerstage in global diplomacy and this boosts Crown Prince's international stature and his sagacious role in ending hostilities.
The high-profile US-Russia meeting in Riyadh marks the first direct, high-level talks between the two global powers since the outbreak of the Russia- Ukraine war nearly three years ago. The Riyadh meeting is expected to lay the groundwork for a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, in addition to discussions on restoring US-Russia relations.
The careful diplomacy has allowed Saudi Arabia to strengthen its position as a neutral mediator, a role that has now culminated in Riyadh becoming the venue for the significant US-talks in years. Tuesday's talks in Riyadh are widely seen as setting the stage for an eventual summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia has successfully balanced its relationships with both Washington and Moscow throughout the Ukraine war. The Kingdom has maintained close ties with Russia through OPEC+, coordinating oil production to stabilize global markets.Saudi Arabia has pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to Ukraine and hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy several times since 2022. In September 2022, it played a key role in brokering a prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine, securing the release of foreign fighters, including Americans and Britons.Saudi Arabia has played a key diplomatic role since the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman holding talks with both President Putin and Zelensky in March 2022 to promote a political resolution. Over the past three years, the Kingdom has sustained these mediation efforts, hosting multiple meetings aimed at fostering dialogue and easing tensions.Last Wednesday, US President Trump said he expects to see his Russian counterpart Putin in Saudi Arabia for their first meeting since his assumption of office on Jan. 20. Trump made the remarks following an almost 90-minute phone conversation with Putin in which the two leaders discussed ending Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Saudi Arabia seized this golden opportunity with intensifying diplomatic efforts to bring the two sides much closer to end the Russia-Ukraine hostilities. Riyadh welcomed the phone call between Trump and Putin, which included discussions on the potential for a high-level summit in Saudi Arabia.
In an official statement last Friday, the Kingdom expressed its readiness to host the summit, reaffirming its continued efforts to mediate peace between Russia and Ukraine, and eventually laying the ground for hosting the crucial preparatory talks in Riyadh.
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