Saudi Arabia will host U.S.-Ukraine talks in Jeddah, following a contentious meeting involving President Zelenskyy and Trump. This raises questions about the kingdom’s neutrality, given its close diplomatic ties with Trump and a warming relationship with Russia. While personal connections foster some trust, the risks surrounding U.S. policy alignments and Russia’s influence complicate the negotiation landscape.
Saudi Arabia is set to host talks between the U.S. and Ukraine in Jeddah next week, following a recent contentious meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump at the White House. This new venue appears to favor a more neutral atmosphere for discussions involving lower-level officials, as Zelenskyy will also meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit.
Despite seeming like a neutral ground, doubts linger about Saudi Arabia’s impartiality in these discussions. The choice to hold the talks in Saudi Arabia rather than a European capital raises questions about the kingdom’s motives, given its historical connections to the Trump administration. Trump’s first foreign visit as president was to Saudi Arabia, underscoring a close diplomatic relationship that has persisted despite the kingdom’s contentious human rights record.
Trump aims to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel as a significant part of his vision for peace in the region following the Abraham Accords. Meanwhile, questions about Prince Mohammed’s ties to Moscow have also surfaced. His relationship with President Putin has evolved since a 2015 visit to Russia, marking a strategic shift in Riyadh’s foreign relations, which prioritizes OPEC+ collaboration over outright support for U.S. initiatives against Russia.
Analysts noted that Saudi Arabia’s partnership with Russia has only strengthened, despite voting to support U.N. resolutions condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Riyadh has avoided direct confrontation with Russia, continuing to drive oil production decisions that inadvertently benefit the Kremlin, which has strained relations with the Biden administration.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia has already held previous discussions with U.S. and Russian representatives about a potential peace deal for Ukraine, despite Kyiv’s absence. This suggests an inclination to balance relations with multiple powers, albeit amid skepticism concerning the authenticity of peace processes, particularly with the recent two-day peace summit in 2023 intended for international image enhancement.
Ukraine’s acceptance of talks in Jeddah is bolstered by defense minister Rustem Umerov’s personal connections within the kingdom, fostering a measure of trust. Orysia Lutsevych from Chatham House highlighted that real neutrality in negotiations often requires a mediator with ties to both parties, emphasizing Ukraine’s strategic interests in bolstering relationships with countries in the global south.
Saudi Arabia’s investment in Ukraine’s agricultural sector reflects a pragmatic interest, yet there remains apprehension regarding Trump’s influence in U.S. foreign policy, which may jeopardize Ukraine’s standing. Ultimately, while Saudi Arabia facilitates dialogue, the underlying risk of alignment with Russian interests persists, making the negotiation dynamics complex and fraught with challenges.
Saudi Arabia’s role in hosting Ukraine talks raises concerns about its neutrality due to longstanding ties with Trump and the kingdom’s strategic partnerships with Russia. Despite some trust built through personal connections, and an emphasis on balancing relationships with global powers, the risk of U.S. policy moving toward Russian agendas remains significant. The effectiveness of these talks as a diplomatic solution is yet to be determined against the backdrop of these complexities.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
