Why Was Saudi Arabia Chosen for US-Russia Talks?
Dr. Syed Habeeb Imam Quadri
After US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit, a meeting between senior officials from the US and Russia is expected in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday. The purpose of the meeting is to start talks to improve relations between Moscow and Washington and to officially lay the groundwork for negotiations regarding Ukraine. This meeting will also pave the way for a future summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the importance of this diplomatic move has become clear.
It is important to note that Riyadh was not chosen randomly for the upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin. This choice highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing influence, strategic neutrality, and its role as a mediator on the global stage.
Saudi Arabia has long been an ally of the US in the region.
Similarly, as the world’s largest source of crude oil, Saudi Arabia has worked closely with Russia on oil-related policies. Since Russia’s attack on Ukraine in February 2022, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a mediator.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has also maintained a trustworthy relationship with the Kyiv government. Saudi Arabia has welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy multiple times. During one of his visits in May 2023, Zelenskyy attended the Arab League summit in Jeddah. In June of last year, Zelenskyy met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to visit Riyadh on an official trip this Wednesday. This visit was planned well in advance. However, Zelensky does not plan to meet with Russian or American officials during his stay in Saudi Arabia. This was confirmed by his spokesperson on Monday.
In the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, Saudi Arabia has maintained a neutral position. Instead of supporting either side, the Kingdom has focused on creating opportunities for dialogue and resolution between the conflicting parties.
In September 2022, Saudi Arabia played a role in securing the release of foreign prisoners of war in Ukraine. Among them, two were from the United States and five were from the United Kingdom.
Similarly, in August 2023, Saudi Arabia hosted representatives from over 40 countries for talks related to the Russia-Ukraine war. However, Russia did not participate in these discussions.
Omar Karim, an expert on Saudi foreign policy at the University of Birmingham, commented on the matter. He said that the upcoming meeting highlights Saudi Arabia’s ability to maintain friendly relations with both former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This shows that Saudi Arabia is seen as a neutral and trustworthy partner by both sides.
Since the war in Gaza began in October 2023, Saudi Arabia has taken an active diplomatic role in the region. A month after the conflict started, the Kingdom hosted an emergency Arab-Islamic summit.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia is organizing a smaller summit this Friday. The meeting will discuss former U.S. President Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Jordan and Egypt. Leaders from Egypt, Jordan, and the six member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will attend the summit.
