Why Saudi Arabia is the venue of choice for Trump's Ukraine talks

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi National Security Advisor Mosaad bin Mohammad Al-Aiban, U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff (not pictured), Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Russian President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov, at Diriyah Palace, in Riyadh

The Trump administration’s decision to hold Ukraine peace talks in Saudi Arabia highlights the Kingdom’s rising diplomatic influence and its evolving relationship with the United States. Once an international outcast following the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia has since repositioned itself as a key global player, according to the BBC.

A shift in global diplomacy

Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has expanded its influence beyond traditional alliances, cultivating closer ties with both China and Russia while maintaining its security relationship with the US. During the Biden administration, Riyadh increasingly asserted its independence, prioritizing its own strategic interests over Washington’s preferences. The return of Donald Trump, who chose Saudi Arabia for his first overseas visit in 2017, has reinvigorated ties between the two nations.

Saudi Arabia’s role in Middle East peace efforts

Trump has long sought to finalize a Saudi-Israel peace agreement as part of the Abraham Accords, a signature foreign policy achievement of his first term. However, the ongoing war in Gaza has complicated these ambitions. The Saudis have rejected Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate Gaza’s population and instead are working with Arab allies on a two-state solution. This divergence in policy presents a challenge to US-Saudi relations, but Riyadh remains a crucial intermediary in regional diplomacy.

A strategic partner for US foreign policy

Hosting the Ukraine talks allows Saudi Arabia to showcase its diplomatic credibility while maintaining its balancing act between global powers. For Trump, choosing Riyadh as the venue signals his administration’s preference for transactional diplomacy, where economic and security considerations outweigh traditional alliances. Saudi Arabia’s ability to mediate between Russia, the US, and European nations reinforces its role as an indispensable power in international negotiations.

As the US and Russia begin discussions in Riyadh, the outcome of these talks may shape not only the future of Ukraine but also the broader geopolitical landscape. With Saudi Arabia at the centre of these efforts, its global ambitions continue to expand.