Saudi Arabia is poised to facilitate talks between the United States and Ukraine following a contentious exchange during President Zelensky’s recent visit to the White House. Despite Riyadh being an unconventional choice for such negotiations, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has positioned the kingdom as an ideal mediator for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, potentially even hosting a historic meeting between Putin and Trump.

The talks are a response to the fallout from Zelensky’s meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, where a heated argument ensued, leading to Ukraine withholding its signature on a deal involving U.S. access to rare earth minerals crucial for military support. The upcoming discussions will occur in Jeddah, a city known for its history of hosting diplomatic engagements.

Zelensky’s visit to Saudi Arabia ahead of the talks underscores the collaborative effort towards peace, with key officials from both sides, including Zelensky’s team and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, participating in the negotiations. Saudi Arabia’s role in hosting these talks reflects Prince Mohammed’s diplomatic efforts to position the kingdom as a regional peacemaker, despite its past controversies.

The outcome of these talks could significantly impact the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with Trump’s administration aiming to secure a peace deal while facing pressure from European allies who seek a more active role in the negotiations. The engagement in Saudi Arabia signifies a potential shift in the dynamics of international diplomacy, emphasizing the kingdom’s emerging role as a neutral ground for high-stakes negotiations.