Ukrainian President Zelensky’s visit to Saudi Arabia signals the Kingdom’s efforts to rebrand itself as a global diplomatic mediator. Riyadh’s role includes engaging with key global players to facilitate conflict resolution. Despite its improving international reputation, Saudi Arabia continues to face criticism for its human rights record.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, underscoring Riyadh’s ambitions to define itself as a significant mediator on the global stage. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to transition from a historical focus on oil and security to proactive diplomacy. Saudi Arabia aims to engage with key players—including Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington—to enhance its reputation in conflict resolution.
Riyadh, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has shown its capacity to function as a diplomatic intermediary. Notably, Saudi Arabia successfully mediated prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine, reinforcing its diplomatic credibility. In September 2022, it facilitated the release of ten foreign prisoners, including U.S. and U.K. nationals, highlighting its growing influence in navigating international disputes.
Saudi Arabia’s engagement stems from its position as the leading oil producer, which compels the Kingdom to foster global stability. Recognizing that sustained conflicts disrupt energy markets, Riyadh is intensifying its role in global diplomacy. This effort encompasses various regions, including ongoing mediation relating to conflicts in Sudan, Iran, and Syria, thus illustrating its objective to be perceived as a peace advocate.
Moreover, the Kingdom’s diplomatic engagement is pivotal for advancing U.S.-led initiatives, particularly the Abraham Accords aimed at normalizing relations between Israel and Arab nations. Aryeh Lightstone, a former U.S. adviser, noted that Israel’s improved relationships with key regional players significantly alter its diplomatic landscape, a transformation that Saudi Arabia is integral to facilitating.
Despite facing scrutiny due to historical human rights violations, including the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia is striving to improve its international standing. The regime has faced criticism for its oppressive measures against dissenters and women’s rights activists. Salma al-Shehab, for example, received a lengthy prison sentence for advocating for women’s rights, illustrating the stark contrast between its diplomatic outreach and domestic policies.
As Saudi Arabia endeavours to reinvent itself as a prominent global mediator, it aims to navigate the complexities of international diplomacy while addressing concerns surrounding its human rights record. Riyadh’s efforts involve hosting significant diplomatic gatherings and facilitating discussions among major global powers, even while balancing its controversial national practices.
In summary, President Zelensky’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia highlights the Kingdom’s aspirations to elevate its status as a mediating power in global diplomacy. While navigating the complexities of international relations, Riyadh seeks to enhance its image through proactive engagement in conflicts beyond the Middle East. However, the country must also contend with its controversial human rights history as it strives to balance diplomatic initiatives with internal challenges.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
