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Saudi, UAE considered for Trump-Putin summit, say Russian sources

Emirates positioned as key diplomatic players amid discussions on Ukraine and global energy policies

Saudi Arabia, UAE Emerge as Potential Hosts for Trump-Putin Summit

Saudi Arabia and UAE Considered Possible Venues for Trump-Putin Summit, Say Russian Sources
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are reportedly considering holding a major summit in Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to Russian sources familiar with the talks.
The possibility of this meeting is being considered since both leaders have expressed interest in having discussions, primarily about the war in Ukraine and energy-related issues.

Diplomatic Advancements
Trump has shown his willingness to engage in direct talks with Putin and has repeatedly underlined his commitment to finding a quick solution to the Ukraine issue.

Putin, meantime, congratulated Trump on winning the election and reiterated his willingness to negotiate. According to sources, senior Russian representatives have recently been to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, presumably to discuss the possibility of hosting the proposed summit. Meanwhile, Russian officials deny that there have been any formal talks with the United States about the summit.

Despite these developments, internal opposition still exists within Russia. Some Russian diplomats and intelligence officials are wary of using Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates as bases, citing close military and security ties with the United States.

Strong Ties and Strategic Interests
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates continue to have friendly relations with both Trump and Putin. Trump has bolstered U.S.-Saudi ties by declaring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman a “fantastic guy” in the past. Putin has also established a strong relationship with bin Salman and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates, especially when it comes to energy cooperation within the framework of OPEC+.

The strategic positioning of Saudi Arabia and the UAE is also a key factor. Both countries have maintained diplomatic openness with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and have refrained from imposing sanctions on Russia over the conflict in Ukraine. As an example of its position as a mediator in international conflicts, the UAE has helped Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin, limiting his travel to specific nations, and neither Saudi Arabia nor the United Arab Emirates are signatories to the court. A high-profile diplomatic meeting between the two leaders is feasible between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates due to this legislative restriction.

The Decline of Traditional Venues
In the past, significant diplomatic summits between Russian and American leaders have taken place in neutral places like Helsinki, Geneva, and Vienna. These conventional venues are no longer practical choices, though, as the majority of Western countries are actively supporting Ukraine, according to Russian expert Fyodor Lukyanov.

Turkiye, which hosted failed peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in March 2022, was also disqualified as a potential site because of its NATO membership and apparent Western affiliation.

The prospect of a Trump-Putin summit in Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates underscores the changing importance of the Gulf countries as major participants in international negotiations, as geopolitical tensions continue to influence international diplomacy. It’s unclear if such a gathering will actually take place, but the fact that these locations are being considered shows how influential they are becoming globally.

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