Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking a meeting with former US President Donald Trump, potentially to occur in Saudi Arabia or the UAE. This initiative comes amidst discussions about ending the Ukraine war, despite some Russian skepticism about the meeting due to the Gulf states’ ties with the US. Putin’s relationships with leaders in the region may also impact energy negotiations.
Reports suggest that Russia is exploring two potential locations for a high-profile meeting between US President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin: Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These nations are preferred due to their non-member status in the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant for Putin, restricting his travel options to other countries like Brazil and South Africa.
Former President Trump has publicly expressed his intention to bring the conflict in Ukraine to a swift conclusion and has shown willingness to engage with President Putin. The Russian leader extended congratulations to Trump on his election and indicated openness to discussions regarding Ukraine and energy matters. Although Russian officials deny any targeted preparations for direct dialogue between the two leaders, information from anonymous sources suggests recent high-level Russian visits to the Gulf states.
Despite these diplomatic overtures, there remains internal skepticism in Russia regarding the meeting; certain diplomats highlight the deep military and security connections that Saudi Arabia and the UAE share with the United States. Notably, after taking office, Trump contacted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, praising him as a “fantastic guy” during his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
President Putin, who visited both Saudi Arabia and the UAE earlier in 2023, acknowledged the assistance of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in orchestrating significant prisoner exchanges between the US and Russia. The ties between Putin and MbS have been solid since the prince’s first visit to Russia in 2015, significantly impacting the OPEC+ energy agreement.
Both Saudi and UAE leaders have remained largely neutral during the ongoing war in Ukraine, opting not to align with Western sanctions against Russia. They continue to maintain relationships with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the UAE has offered its support in facilitating peace talks and prisoner exchanges. Russia has explicitly disregarded Türkiye as a potential meeting venue due to its involvement in early peace negotiations that did not yield results.
The backdrop of this proposed meeting involves complex international relations shaped by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as well as the roles that Saudi Arabia and the UAE play within the global oil market. Additionally, the lack of membership of these countries in the International Criminal Court grants Putin a level of security regarding travel limitations. Strategic ties between the US and the Gulf states, coupled with their neutral positioning in the Ukraine conflict, create a delicate balance for the proposed dialogue between Trump and Putin.
In summary, the possibility of a meeting between President Trump and President Putin is being considered in Saudi Arabia or the UAE due to diplomatic and travel restrictions. While both leaders have expressed a desire to engage, internal concerns in Russia may complicate the planning. The neutral stance of the Gulf states during the Ukraine crisis positions them uniquely in the dialogue, potentially influencing global energy policies as well.
Original Source: newsukraine.rbc.ua
