Trump Proposes Saudi Arabia as Venue for Talks with Putin on Ukraine

Donald Trump proposed that he and Vladimir Putin could meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss the Ukraine war. He emphasized their relationship with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as a reason for selecting the Kingdom for the talks. Saudi Arabia has taken on a mediatory role in the conflict, seeking to strengthen its influence as a global leader despite ongoing regional challenges.

Former President Donald Trump indicated the possibility of upcoming talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, suggesting Saudi Arabia as a potential venue. Trump made this statement to reporters at the Oval Office, expressing optimism about the meeting. “We expect that he’ll come here, and I’ll go there and we’re going to meet also probably in Saudi Arabia the first time,” he said.

Trump elaborated on the rationale for choosing Saudi Arabia by highlighting the connections both he and Putin share with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He stated, “We know the crown prince, and I think it’d be a very good place to be.”] Saudi Arabia has recently taken on a mediatory role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, alongside the United Arab Emirates.

For Crown Prince Mohammed, this mediatory involvement offers a chance to enhance his reputation as a leader of global significance, extending influence beyond the Middle Eastern sphere. This opportunity also allows him to position Saudi Arabia as an important intermediary despite ongoing challenges regarding the nation’s involvement in the Yemeni conflict.

In September 2022, Prince Mohammed played a crucial role in facilitating the release of ten prisoners in a broader exchange initiative between Russia and Ukraine. Subsequently, in May 2023, he extended an invitation to Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to address a summit of Arab leaders in Jeddah, where Zelensky urged Middle Eastern nations to support Ukraine against Russian aggression.

In summary, Donald Trump has signaled potential meetings with Putin aimed at resolving the Ukraine war, with Saudi Arabia proposed as the venue. Trump’s connection with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman underscores the Saudi initiative to mediate in the conflict, further enhancing the Kingdom’s international influence. The ongoing efforts to broker peace are significant in the context of both regional and global politics.

Original Source: www.nytimes.com