Russia is contemplating the Saudi Arabia and UAE as potential venues for a meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin. Trump aims to end the Ukraine conflict quickly, while Putin is willing to discuss key issues such as energy. Neutral Arab leaders maintain significant international connections, despite concerns over military ties with the US.
Reports suggest that Russia is considering Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as potential venues for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both nations are not members of the International Criminal Court, thus allowing Putin to travel there without the worry of an arrest warrant, as he would face in several countries, including Brazil and South Africa. Trump has expressed a desire to end the war in Ukraine swiftly, expressing his willingness to meet with Putin. In return, Putin congratulated Trump on his election and echoed his readiness for discussions on Ukraine and energy issues.
Despite denials from Russian officials regarding direct communications with the US for a preparatory phone call between the two leaders, there are unconfirmed reports of high-level Russian officials having recently visited Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Some resistance to the meeting exists in Russia, primarily from diplomats and intelligence officials who express concerns over the strong military and security affiliations these Arab nations maintain with the United States.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia was the first foreign head of state to speak with Trump after he took office, leading Trump to praise him as a “fantastic guy” during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Putin has established a rapport with Mohammed bin Salman since 2015, contributing to the OPEC+ agreement between the two major oil-producing countries. Concurrently, Trump has urged Saudi Arabia and OPEC to lower oil prices, which could potentially influence negotiations with Russia.
Both Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have maintained a neutral position regarding the Ukraine war, staying clear of Western criticisms and sanctions against Russia while also fostering communication with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Al Nahyan’s visits to Russia during the war have been marked by offers to support peace efforts, including successful mediation of prisoner exchanges.
Currently, Turkish venues have been ruled out by Russian sources, as previous attempts at negotiating peace in Türkiye did not succeed and were marred by unresolved issues since the talks in March 2022. This underscores the complexity of arranging high-level discussions amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The article discusses ongoing considerations surrounding a potential meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Given Putin’s arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, suitable meeting locations are limited to non-member countries, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The context involves international tensions due to the Ukraine war and oil market dynamics, highlighting the roles of both Arab leaders in facilitating discussions and potential negotiations.
In summary, Russia is exploring Saudi Arabia and the UAE as feasible locations for a meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin, amid various geopolitical implications. Despite the challenges posed by the arrest warrant against Putin, both countries maintain a neutral stance on the Ukraine war and possess vital connections with both Russia and the United States. High-level visits from Russian officials to these nations suggest an ongoing interest in dialogue, although some resistance persists within Russia regarding the partnership.
Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua
