Russian sources suggest Saudi Arabia and the UAE as potential venues for a Trump-Putin summit amidst ongoing discussions regarding the war in Ukraine. Both leaders have expressed interest in meeting, despite some internal opposition from Russia due to the close US ties of these nations. Neutrality maintained by the UAE and Saudi Arabia throughout the conflict enhances their role as mediators.
MOSCOW: According to Russian sources, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates may host a summit between United States President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has expressed his intention to end the war in Ukraine promptly and is open to meeting with Putin. Following his election, Putin congratulated Trump and indicated his willingness to discuss issues related to Ukraine and energy.
Despite Russian officials denying any formal communications regarding a potential phone call between the two leaders in anticipation of a later meeting, senior Russian officials have made recent visits to both Saudi Arabia and the UAE. A source noted, however, that there is some resistance in Russia concerning this idea, mainly due to the strong military ties that both countries have with the United States. Nevertheless, both Trump and Putin have established amicable relations with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
On a recent Sunday, Trump stated that his administration has scheduled discussions with various parties, including those from Ukraine and Russia. When asked about these statements, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged that communication was ‘apparently planned.’ Notably, Trump had his first official phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman upon taking office, referring to him as “a fantastic guy” during a speech at the World Economic Forum.
In 2023, Putin visited both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, expressing gratitude to Mohammed bin Salman for facilitating a significant US-Russian prisoner exchange. This relationship between Putin and MbS has been strengthened since their initial meeting in 2015, promoting cooperation among the world’s major oil exporters in the Opec+ agreement.
Both Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have remained neutral during the Ukraine conflict, avoiding criticisms or sanctions against Russia as many Western nations have done. They have maintained regular communication with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, with Mohammed bin Zayed asserting his support for peace efforts during his visit to Russia in October 2024.
Neither Saudi Arabia nor the UAE is a member of the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant for Putin, thereby allowing him to avoid certain countries. Currently, Russian sources have indicated that Turkiye, a NATO member that previously hosted peace talks, is not being considered as a venue for this summit.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has prompted discussions of high-level meetings to seek resolutions. As tensions persist, both Trump and Putin have indicated their readiness to meet for dialogue. The role of third-party nations, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, is pivotal given their strategic importance and relations with both leaders. Their neutrality in the Ukraine conflict positions them uniquely in potential negotiations.
In summary, the prospect of a Trump-Putin summit in Saudi Arabia or the UAE is being considered by Russia amidst ongoing discussions to address the war in Ukraine. While some Russian officials express hesitation due to the close ties these countries have with the United States, Trump and Putin have cultivated personal relationships with their leaders, indicating a complex but potentially fruitful diplomatic engagement.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
