Upon Saudi Crown Prince's directives, Kingdom hosts U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Riyadh is hosting talks between the Russian Federation and the United States of America (USA) under the direction of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. This initiative is part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to promote global security and peace, demonstrating its commitment to international stability.

Last week, Saudi Arabia welcomed the phone discussion between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressing interest in facilitating a meeting between the two leaders in the Kingdom. Saudi officials believe that such a meeting would help ease international tensions and create opportunities for resolving regional conflicts, potentially leading to more cooperative relationships.

Separately, the Saudi Press Agency reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Riyadh on Tuesday. This followed a meeting the previous day at Al Yamamah Palace between the Crown Prince and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Crown Prince welcomed Secretary Rubio and his accompanying delegation to Saudi Arabia, while the U.S. Secretary of State expressed his pleasure in visiting Saudi Arabia and meeting with His Royal Highness.

During the meetings, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations between their countries and discussed ways to strengthen and develop them in various fields. They also exchanged views on developments in regional and international situations, exploring ongoing efforts to resolve these issues in order to achieve security and stability. The atmosphere of the talks was friendly and constructive, with both sides expressing their willingness to further enhance cooperation in the future.

In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia appreciates the phone call made by the President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump, with the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, on February 12, 2025, and the statement regarding a possible summit between their Excellencies the Presidents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia." The Ministry emphasized "the Kingdom's welcome to hosting a summit in Saudi Arabia" and reiterated "its continued efforts to achieve lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine." The ministry also highlighted that "over the past three years, the Kingdom has continued its efforts, including holding several meetings on this matter," showcasing its proactive role in conflict resolution.

Trump said on Wednesday, after speaking with Putin, that they had agreed to begin negotiations "immediately" aimed at ending the three-year conflict in Ukraine. He also communicated with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Furthermore, Trump stated in a separate discussion with reporters in the Oval Office that he might meet with Putin in the "not too distant future" to end this "bloody and horrible war," emphasizing his desire for a swift resolution.

U.S. billionaire Elon Musk recently expressed his view on the upcoming Russian-American talks in Riyadh, saying: "That's what competent leadership looks like." As part of Saudi Arabia's increasingly effective diplomacy, Riyadh has emerged as a potential location for a significant summit between U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This gathering aims to initiate peace talks regarding Ukraine, with Russian sources indicating that the first peace talks are scheduled to begin on Tuesday.

The convening of this highly anticipated summit in Riyadh solidifies Saudi Arabia's position as a key player with influence extending far beyond its regional boundaries, enabling it to exert its political clout on the global stage. This initiative aims to address the realities of various issues and propose necessary solutions to long-standing crises, thereby fostering global stability. Concurrently, a Ukrainian government delegation has already arrived in the capital, Riyadh, setting the stage for an anticipated visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Discussions between Russia and Ukraine, under Saudi mediation, are expected to commence in Riyadh soon.