- Saudi Arabia’s hosting of top officials from the United States, Russia, and Ukraine for crucial peace talks highlights the kingdom’s growing ambition to position itself as a key global mediator in international conflicts.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Jeddah on Monday night, ahead of discussions with US and Ukrainian officials. This comes just a week after a tense exchange between US President Donald Trump and Zelensky, where Trump criticized Ukraine’s leadership for being “ungrateful” in a public showdown at the White House.
Saudi Arabia has already played a significant role in facilitating high-level talks between the US and Russia last month, marking the first direct communication between the two countries since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The choice of location for these talks – a decision praised by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov – is viewed as a diplomatic victory for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is actively working to reshape Saudi Arabia’s image and diversify its economy through strategic soft power.
A Strategic Shift in Saudi Foreign Policy
Saudi Arabia’s approach reflects a broader shift in its foreign policy, prioritizing neutrality in global conflicts and aiming to foster peace while attracting significant foreign investments to support the kingdom’s “Vision 2030” economic plan. This includes mending ties with regional rivals such as Iran, scaling back military involvement in Yemen, and strengthening partnerships with China and Russia while maintaining strong relations with the West.
The kingdom’s efforts to present itself as a global peace broker are not limited to the Ukraine conflict. Saudi Arabia has hosted multiple peace initiatives, including a peace summit on Ukraine in 2023 and a significant aid pledge to Ukraine earlier that year. The kingdom has also facilitated prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia, further cementing its role as a neutral mediator.
The Role of US and Russian Ties
Crown Prince Mohammed’s key role in these peace talks is attributed to his close relationships with both US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite the controversies surrounding the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which led to international isolation for the crown prince, Trump remained a strong ally. In 2017, Trump made Saudi Arabia the destination of his first international visit, and the kingdom continued its close ties with him even after his election loss.
Prince Mohammed also shares a strong rapport with Russian President Putin, with whom he coordinated efforts to stabilize global oil markets and even resisted pressure from the Biden administration to increase oil production. Russia’s support for Saudi Arabia’s regional leadership has been pivotal in solidifying the kingdom’s position as a key player in international diplomacy.
A Broader Vision for Peace in the Middle East
- Saudi Arabia’s involvement in Ukraine peace talks is part of a larger effort to balance regional dynamics, especially concerning the Middle East. With Trump’s controversial proposal for the US to take ownership of Gaza, Saudi Arabia may see an opportunity to leverage its growing influence in Washington to broker a resolution to the ongoing Gaza conflict.
By facilitating peace talks on Ukraine, Saudi Arabia could strengthen its position in Washington, potentially bridging the gap between US and Arab positions on the fate of Gaza. The kingdom’s strategic mediation in these matters may help it navigate its complex relationships with both Western powers and its Arab neighbors, especially as it seeks to align its interests with the US and push for Palestinian rights in the ongoing conflict.
As the situation in Gaza continues to evolve, Prince Mohammed faces the challenge of balancing his regional interests while maintaining his role as a neutral mediator on the global stage. The coming years will likely see Saudi Arabia capitalizing on its diplomatic ties, while navigating the difficult demands of international politics and maintaining support for Palestinian statehood in the face of pressure from the US.
- Source CNN
