Moscow is considering Saudi Arabia and the UAE for a potential summit between Presidents Putin and Trump regarding the war in Ukraine. While there is interest from both leaders, Russian officials express concerns over choosing these venues due to their ties with the U.S. Despite opposition, discussions are supposedly underway, reflecting ongoing diplomatic dialogues.
Moscow is contemplating Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as potential locations for a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a report by Reuters. Both leaders have recently shown a willingness to engage in discussions aimed at concluding the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump has previously expressed confidence that he could bring a swift resolution to the conflict upon his arrival in office.
Despite this interest, there is opposition among certain Russian diplomats and intelligence officials regarding the selection of these venues, as both countries maintain significant ties to U.S. military and intelligence operations. Recent visits by senior Russian officials to Saudi Arabia and the UAE have underscored the potential for such diplomatic engagements, although skepticism persists.
Trump has indicated that his team is in preliminary talks with Russian officials about navigating a path to peace in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that discussions are indeed “apparently planned,” reflecting an ongoing dialogue between the parties.
While neither Saudi Arabia nor the UAE has publicly joined in sanctioning Russia or condemned the invasion of Ukraine, they continue to uphold diplomatic relations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Notably, these nations are not signatories to the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant for Putin in 2023 over accusations of war crimes.
Russia has dismissed NATO member Turkey as a viable option for hosting the summit, primarily due to its involvement in previous unsuccessful peace negotiations held in Istanbul in March 2022.
The dynamics between Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE reflect the complex geopolitical landscape post the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. While Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russia and criticized its actions, these Middle Eastern nations have retained their diplomatic relationships with both Russia and Ukraine. This scenario illustrates a potential shift in global diplomatic interactions and highlights the varied international responses to the conflict in Ukraine.
In summary, Moscow is actively evaluating Saudi Arabia and the UAE as possible venues for a summit aimed at fostering discussions between Presidents Putin and Trump regarding the war in Ukraine. Despite differing views on the appropriateness of these locations, the interest from both leaders indicates a potential thaw in diplomatic relations, complicated by the ongoing geopolitical complexities and previous failed negotiations.
Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com
