Saudi Arabia will host talks between the United States and Ukraine, drawing scrutiny over its neutrality due to its close ties with Trump and Russia. Despite establishing a comfortable setting for dialogue, concerns arise regarding Saudi Arabia’s historical positions and regional interests, compounded by personal connections facilitating trust between the nations involved.
Saudi Arabia will host discussions between the United States and Ukraine in Jeddah next week, following the previous controversial meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former President Donald Trump. This neutral venue is seen as an attempt to reduce tensions between the parties involved. President Zelenskyy announced his visit to Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and hold discussions with US officials.
However, the neutrality of Saudi Arabia remains questionable. Analysts point out that the kingdom is viewed as a preferable location for the Trump administration, given Trump’s historic diplomatic ties to Saudi Arabia, despite its troubling human rights record. Many observers question why these talks are not being held in a European capital, which might provide a more balanced perspective.
The ties between Trump and Saudi Arabia are well-established. Trump’s first foreign visit was to Saudi Arabia, and he seeks to promote normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel as part of a broader peace strategy, despite the limited success of recent agreements in the region. Concerns arise regarding Crown Prince Mohammed’s close relationship with Moscow and President Vladimir Putin, which complicates perceptions of Saudi neutrality in the ongoing conflict.
Since becoming Crown Prince, Mohammed has engaged closely with Russia, participating in prisoner exchanges and fostering a cooperative relationship that has contributed to Saudi Arabia’s reluctance to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Despite voting for United Nations resolutions critical of Russia, Saudi Arabia’s continued ties with Moscow—particularly within OPEC+—have demonstrated its balancing act between international pressures and national interests.
Moreover, earlier in 2023, Saudi Arabia hosted discussions with US and Russian officials regarding a potential peace deal in Ukraine, highlighting a potential shift in diplomatic engagement. Saudi Arabia’s previous peace summit with over 40 nations was scrutinized by critics, who viewed it as an effort to rehabilitate the kingdom’s global image.
The relationship between Ukraine and Saudi Arabia has been strengthened through personal connections, particularly facilitated by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov’s prior business ties to the region. Orysia Lutsevych of Chatham House reflects on the complexity of neutral venues: “Practically, you need to find an actor or a mediator that has a stake or a connection to both parties to have trust.” She also notes that Ukraine perceives relationships within the Middle East as crucial given the global implications of the conflict.
Ultimately, the motivations behind Saudi Arabia hosting the talks may be multifaceted, reflecting both its diplomatic aspirations and connections to US political figures. Lutsevych warns that although a dialogue in Jeddah signifies some level of trust, the greater challenge for Ukraine lies in navigating the potential influence of Trump and his administration, which could sway America’s foreign policy towards Russia’s interests.
In summary, while Saudi Arabia’s initiative to host talks between the United States and Ukraine seems to present an opportunity for dialogue, its true neutrality is under scrutiny. Strong historical ties with the Trump administration and the closer alignment with Russia complicate Saudi Arabia’s role as a neutral mediator. Notably, personal connections and agricultural interests between Ukraine and Saudi Arabia foster a certain trust, yet challenges rooted in America’s geopolitical stance persist, particularly regarding the influence of Trump. Overall, the outcome of these talks may hinge on these influential dynamics.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
