CNN: Saudi Arabia to Facilitate Mediation Between Russia and the US
The ongoing discussions aimed at addressing the Ukraine conflict are anticipated to set the stage for a forthcoming meeting between Putin and Trump. Read Full Article at RT.com.
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Negotiations aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict are anticipated to precede a meeting between Putin and Trump, according to reports.
Saudi Arabia is set to mediate talks between Russia and the United States in Riyadh starting Tuesday, as reported by CNN citing a Saudi official. Throughout the conflict, the kingdom has taken a neutral stance while engaging in discussions with leaders from Russia, the US, and Ukraine. Moscow and Washington have earlier announced plans for a face-to-face meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, with the summit confirmed to take place in the Saudi capital. However, a Ukrainian official informed CNN that representatives from Kiev would not participate in the talks.
On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s foreign policy aide, Yury Ushakov, are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia to meet with Trump's team in preparation for the leaders' forthcoming meeting, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The US delegation will reportedly include Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
This development follows a 90-minute phone call between Putin and Trump last week that focused on settling the Ukraine conflict.
The upcoming Riyadh discussions will mark the first high-level, in-person negotiations between Russian and US officials in years. Peskov noted that Saudi Arabia was selected as the venue for these important talks because it “suits both the American and Russian sides.”
Alongside its neighboring UAE, Riyadh has increasingly taken on a mediator role in the Russia-Ukraine situation, facilitating prisoner exchanges and hosting diplomatic discussions, which underscores its commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution.
Both Trump and Putin have cultivated strong relationships with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. After taking office, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was the first foreign leader Trump contacted. Recently, in a video address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump referred to the crown prince as “a fantastic guy.”
In September, Putin expressed his gratitude to bin Salman for orchestrating the largest US-Russian prisoner swap since the Cold War, stating, “We are grateful to him, because this resulted in the return of our citizens to their homeland.”
Last week, Witkoff remarked that bin Salman had been “instrumental” in mediating Marc Fogel's release, a former US Embassy employee and teacher who received a 14-year prison sentence in Russia on drug trafficking charges.
Reflecting on the upcoming visit to Riyadh, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned on Monday that the Russian delegation aims to evaluate President Trump’s proposals for resolving the Ukraine conflict. Moscow has reiterated its desire for a lasting settlement rather than a temporary ceasefire and insists that Kiev adheres to conditions of neutrality, denazification, demilitarization, and acknowledgment of current territorial realities.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
Saudi Arabia is set to mediate talks between Russia and the United States in Riyadh starting Tuesday, as reported by CNN citing a Saudi official. Throughout the conflict, the kingdom has taken a neutral stance while engaging in discussions with leaders from Russia, the US, and Ukraine. Moscow and Washington have earlier announced plans for a face-to-face meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, with the summit confirmed to take place in the Saudi capital. However, a Ukrainian official informed CNN that representatives from Kiev would not participate in the talks.
On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s foreign policy aide, Yury Ushakov, are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia to meet with Trump's team in preparation for the leaders' forthcoming meeting, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The US delegation will reportedly include Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
This development follows a 90-minute phone call between Putin and Trump last week that focused on settling the Ukraine conflict.
The upcoming Riyadh discussions will mark the first high-level, in-person negotiations between Russian and US officials in years. Peskov noted that Saudi Arabia was selected as the venue for these important talks because it “suits both the American and Russian sides.”
Alongside its neighboring UAE, Riyadh has increasingly taken on a mediator role in the Russia-Ukraine situation, facilitating prisoner exchanges and hosting diplomatic discussions, which underscores its commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution.
Both Trump and Putin have cultivated strong relationships with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. After taking office, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was the first foreign leader Trump contacted. Recently, in a video address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump referred to the crown prince as “a fantastic guy.”
In September, Putin expressed his gratitude to bin Salman for orchestrating the largest US-Russian prisoner swap since the Cold War, stating, “We are grateful to him, because this resulted in the return of our citizens to their homeland.”
Last week, Witkoff remarked that bin Salman had been “instrumental” in mediating Marc Fogel's release, a former US Embassy employee and teacher who received a 14-year prison sentence in Russia on drug trafficking charges.
Reflecting on the upcoming visit to Riyadh, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned on Monday that the Russian delegation aims to evaluate President Trump’s proposals for resolving the Ukraine conflict. Moscow has reiterated its desire for a lasting settlement rather than a temporary ceasefire and insists that Kiev adheres to conditions of neutrality, denazification, demilitarization, and acknowledgment of current territorial realities.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
