Saudi Arabia is set to host pivotal discussions between the United States and Ukraine this Tuesday, aiming to mend the differences that arose during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House on February 28. The choice of Saudi Arabia as the meeting venue may appear unexpected. However, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom has sought to position itself as a strategic location for potential peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, and possibly for early direct discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.
The talks come on the heels of a heated encounter between Zelenskyy, Trump, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, which unfolded into a tense 10-minute exchange in front of journalists during Zelenskyy’s visit. At the center of the clash was Trump’s stern warning to Zelenskyy, accusing him of risking global conflict and disrespecting the U.S., which led to the Ukrainian president leaving without finalizing an agreement to provide the U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. This agreement was sought to ensure ongoing U.S. military support crucial for Ukraine’s efforts in the war initiated by Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The scheduled talks are set to occur in the city of Jeddah on the Red Sea, as per the statement released by Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry. While Riyadh, the nation’s capital, hosted the initial Russia-U.S. discussions on February 18, the decision to convene in Jeddah, a city known for its diplomatic engagements and royal residences, remains undisclosed. The Saudi Foreign Ministry pledged commitment to pursuing a permanent peace solution to the Ukrainian conflict, an endeavor the kingdom has supported over the past three years through various meetings.
President Zelenskyy plans to arrive in Saudi Arabia ahead of these discussions, having recently postponed another visit after a trip to the United Arab Emirates—a country also considered for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow. “We continue our efforts with partners seeking peace, just as intensely as we do,” Zelenskyy remarked, highlighting preparations for talks to propel peace and fortify security foundations in regions like Europe and America. Along with Zelenskyy, his chief of staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will participate in the talks. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the American delegation and engage with Prince Mohammed.
Discussing the impending talks, Sybiha described a phone conversation with Rubio as constructive, who underscored Trump’s resolve to expedite an end to the war and emphasized the need for all parties to work towards sustainable peace. President Trump, speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One, expressed optimism about the outcomes of the discussions in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s selection as a venue for such high-stakes discussions reflects the aggressive diplomatic stance adopted by Crown Prince Mohammed since rising to power. Following international scrutiny over the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, widely attributed to orders from the prince, he has engaged in conciliatory gestures, including stabilizing relations with Iran, hosting Zelenskyy for an Arab League summit, and negotiating over conflicts in Sudan and the Gaza Strip. Maintaining connections with Russia through the OPEC+ oil alliance even amid Western sanctions has underscored Saudi Arabia’s perceived leadership role in the Sunni Muslim world and dominance in the Middle Eastern political landscape.
Facilitating these talks underscores Saudi Arabia’s ambition to elevate its status as an impartial venue for critical diplomatic negotiations. The country offers the controlled environment required for such talks, along with inherent privacy due to its autocratic regime and cooperative media. President Trump is determined to achieve a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, leveraging both pressures and incentives in dealing with Ukraine. His administration’s interaction with Ukraine, characterized by restrictive measures on intelligence and military aid, aims for a negotiation breakthrough. However, the approach has faced skepticism from Europe, which remains excluded from the talks while fortifying its defense in light of escalating conflicts.
