Why Donald Trump Chose Saudi Arabia as the Venue for US-Russia Ukraine Talks
Summary: Trump’s decision to hold US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia signals the Kingdom’s rising diplomatic influence. With Riyadh hosting top officials from both sides, global power dynamics are shifting.
Why Donald Trump Chose Saudi Arabia as the Venue for US-Russia Ukraine Talks
In a bold diplomatic move, the Trump administration has chosen Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as the venue for crucial US-Russia talks on Ukraine. This decision not only signals a potential reset in Washington-Moscow relations but also underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing influence on the global stage.
While expectations for an immediate breakthrough remain low, the very fact that these talks are taking place has sent shockwaves through Ukraine and Europe. The meeting marks the first high-level engagement between the US and Russia under President Donald Trump and serves as a prelude to a possible summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Saudi Arabia’s Diplomatic Comeback
Riyadh’s role as host highlights its return to the diplomatic mainstream after years of Western isolation, particularly following the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Under President Joe Biden, Saudi Arabia was treated as a near-pariah, but Trump’s return to the White House has restored close ties between Washington and the Kingdom.
Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a neutral player in the Ukraine war, balancing its historical alliance with the US while maintaining strong energy and strategic ties with Russia. The Kingdom has also provided hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, allowing it to avoid choosing sides in the conflict.
Trump’s Strategic Interest in Riyadh
Trump’s decision to engage Riyadh as a diplomatic hub is not accidental. Saudi Arabia’s increasing geopolitical leverage aligns well with Trump’s transactional foreign policy approach. Several factors contributed to this choice:
- Energy Politics: Saudi Arabia’s dominance in the oil market gives it significant influence over both the US and Russia, making it an ideal venue for negotiations.
- Gulf Diplomacy: Saudi Arabia has successfully balanced relationships with both Washington and Moscow, allowing it to act as a credible intermediary.
- The Abraham Accords: Trump’s Middle East peace initiative, which sought to normalize relations between Israel and Arab nations, remains a key unfinished legacy. Riyadh’s involvement could help revive those efforts, despite ongoing regional conflicts.
- A Favorable Relationship: Saudi leaders, particularly Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), have enjoyed close ties with Trump, making cooperation smoother than during the Biden administration.
A “Big Coup” for Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of these landmark negotiations is seen as a major diplomatic victory. Ali Shihabi, an advisor to the Saudi government, called it a “big coup” for Riyadh, as it positions the Kingdom as a key player in global diplomacy.
“This affirms Saudi Arabia’s growing soft power and diplomatic stature,” he said.
The talks also coincide with an upcoming Arab summit, where regional leaders will discuss Trump’s controversial proposal for the future of Gaza and the potential relocation of Palestinian refugees to Egypt and Jordan—a move that has sparked significant backlash.
Saudi Arabia’s Balancing Act Between the West and Russia
One of the most striking aspects of Saudi Arabia’s rise in global diplomacy is its ability to maintain strong ties with both Western powers and Russia. Unlike smaller Gulf states like Qatar, which played a major role in mediating a fragile Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Saudi Arabia has remained a central figure in global energy politics and security negotiations.
According to Rabha Seif Allam of the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, Saudi Arabia has “masterfully navigated the tensions between the West and Russia, particularly on the oil issue, without losing any of its key alliances.”
This diplomatic strategy has helped lift Saudi Arabia out of the isolation it faced after the Khashoggi affair, restoring its role as a global power broker.
US-Russia Talks: A Diplomatic Reset or a Tactical Maneuver?
The meeting in Riyadh signals a possible thaw in US-Russia relations after three years of near-total diplomatic freeze. While European leaders convened in Paris to reassess their approach to Ukraine, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepared for talks in Turkey, US officials sat down with top Russian diplomats in Saudi Arabia.
Among the key figures at the meeting:
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- National Security Adviser Mike Waltz
- Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov
- Putin’s diplomatic adviser Yuri Ushakov
According to Umer Karim, a Saudi foreign policy expert at the University of Birmingham, Riyadh’s role in hosting these negotiations “elevates MBS as a central actor on the global stage.”
“This meeting confirms that Saudi leadership has cultivated close, personal relationships with both Trump and Putin, giving Riyadh unique leverage in global affairs,” Karim said.
What Comes Next?
While no major agreements are expected from this first round of talks, the choice of Saudi Arabia as host reflects shifting global power dynamics. As Riyadh continues to expand its diplomatic influence, its role in shaping the outcomes of conflicts like Ukraine, Gaza, and broader Middle East stability cannot be ignored.
With Washington’s priorities evolving, Moscow’s strategies adapting, and Europe left searching for answers, Saudi Arabia is seizing the moment to solidify its place as a key global player.
Last Updated on: Tuesday, February 18, 2025 12:09 pm by Digital Herald Team | Published by: Digital Herald Team on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 11:50 am | News Categories: News
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