Trump Proposes Saudi Arabia as Venue for Peace Talks with Putin on Ukraine Conflict

February 13, 2025, 5:27 a.m. ETIn a significant diplomatic turn, President Trump announced on Wednesday that he might hold discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin to seek an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, proposing Saudi Arabia as the venue for these talks. “We expect that he’ll come here, and I’ll go there and we’re going to meet also probably in Saudi Arabia for the first time,” Trump stated during a press briefing at the Oval Office. The choice of Saudi Arabia, according to Trump, is underpinned by both his and Putin’s established rapport with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who currently leads the kingdom. “We know the crown prince, and I think it’d be a very good place to be,” Trump added, highlighting the Gulf nation's potential role as a neutral mediator.Saudi Arabia has been increasingly positioning itself as a key player in mediating the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, taking advantage of its diplomatic ties with both nations, as well as its relationship with President Trump. For Crown Prince Mohammed, facilitating negotiations is an opportunity to elevate his status on the world stage, showcasing his influence beyond the Middle East while grappling with internal challenges such as the conflict in Yemen.The Crown Prince’s mediating efforts have already borne fruit, such as in September 2022, when he played a pivotal role in negotiating the release of war prisoners amid the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Furthermore, in May 2023, he hosted a summit in Jeddah that featured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who urged support from Arab leaders for Ukraine against Russian aggression.As the world watches closely, the proposed Saudi talks represent a possible turning point in the pursuit of peace and illustrate Saudi Arabia's growing diplomatic clout in global affairs.