With US President Donald J. Trump’s administration starting to work at supersonic speed, a multitude of groundbreaking initiatives are on the move simultaneously, including the Peace Process with Russia that goes well beyond the end of the war in Ukraine.
Reuters reported:
“Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are seen by Russia as possible venues for a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, two Russian sources with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters.”
A diplomatic dance is ongoing, with both sides praising the other, and also fixing in the public discourse their main priorities and demands.
Trump has vowed to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible, and is ready to meet with Putin, while Putin congratulated Trump on his election and also stated he is ready to meet Trump to discuss Ukraine and energy.
While Russian officials have officially denied any direct contact with the US, preparations for a phone call between Trump and Putin seem to be ongoing, in the run-up to a meeting later this year.
“However, senior Russian officials have visited both Saudi Arabia and the UAE in recent weeks, according to the Russian sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.”
Reuters report could not get Saudi or UAE confirmation for these negotiations, but it is indeed truth that both Trump and Putin have developed friendly relations with bin Salman and bin Zayed.
“Trump said on Sunday that his administration had ‘meetings and talks scheduled with various parties, including Ukraine and Russia’. When asked about those remarks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that contacts were ‘apparently planned’.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was the first foreign head of state Trump called after taking office. He described the Crown Prince as ‘a fantastic guy’ during his speech via video link to an audience at the World Economic Forum in Davos.”
Mohammed bin Salman has already helped to organize the biggest U.S.-Russian prisoner swap since the Cold War, last September.
“Both Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have maintained neutrality throughout the Ukraine war, refraining from joining the West in criticizing and sanctioning Russia.”
UAE’s Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Russia several times during the war, and last October 2024, he said to be ready to support peace efforts in Ukraine.
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