Moscow is considering Saudi Arabia and the UAE as locations for a potential summit between Putin and Trump. This follows their expressed willingness to discuss the Ukraine war. Some Russian officials oppose these locations due to U.S. ties. Trump mentioned ongoing talks with Russia, while the UAE and Saudi Arabia avoid condemning Russia, maintaining diplomatic ties with Ukraine.
Moscow is contemplating Saudi Arabia and the UAE as possible locations for future discussions between President Vladimir Putin and former President Donald Trump, according to Reuters. Both leaders have shown interest in meeting to potentially resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, with Trump asserting he could negotiate an end to the war. Recent visits by senior Russian officials to these countries have revived discussions about the summit.
Some Russian diplomats and intelligence personnel are hesitant about holding the meeting in Saudi Arabia or the UAE due to the nations’ strong connections with U.S. military and intelligence sectors. Trump revealed that discussions with Russian officials regarding Ukraine are already underway, while Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that these talks were “apparently planned.”
Though Saudi Arabia and the UAE have not formally criticized the Russian invasion or enforced Western sanctions, they maintain diplomatic relations with Ukraine’s President Zelensky. Additionally, these states are not members of the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant for Putin in 2023, allowing for his visits to both nations that same year.
Russia has dismissed Turkey, a NATO member, as a summit venue due to its involvement in unsuccessful peace negotiations that took place in Istanbul in March 2022. The situation continues to evolve as international relations fluctuate, and the possibility of a summit in the Middle East remains uncertain.
The article discusses Moscow’s interest in holding a summit between Putin and Trump in Saudi Arabia or the UAE as both leaders consider dialogue to address the war in Ukraine. This reflects a complex international relationship that includes Russia’s standing with Middle Eastern countries and the ongoing geopolitical consequences of the conflict. Understanding the local and international context is critical, particularly Russia’s exclusion of Turkey from these discussions and the implications of the arrest warrant against Putin. This context also highlights the delicate balance these Middle Eastern nations maintain, as they engage with both Russia and the West without publicly taking sides in the conflict. The relationships are complicated by historical allegiances, recent military engagements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts.
In summary, Moscow is evaluating Saudi Arabia and the UAE for a summit between Putin and Trump, amid their mutual interest in negotiating an end to the conflict in Ukraine. While diplomatic relations with Ukraine remain intact for these Gulf states, their ties to U.S. military interests raise concerns in Russia about holding a summit there. Additionally, Russia’s refusal to consider Turkey further complicates the forums available for this high-stakes dialogue.
Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com
