President Donald Trump’s announcement Wednesday that Saudi Arabia would likely host his peacemaking summit with Vladimir Putin may have seemed like an unusual choice. However, to Trump and his advisers, the Gulf kingdom made perfect sense.
American presidents have historically convened talks with their Russian counterparts in various European cities like Geneva, Helsinki, Prague, Vienna, and Bratislava, given the deep implications of the Washington-Moscow relationship in Europe.
While other nations such as Serbia and Switzerland offered to host the upcoming Trump-Putin summit, Russian officials preferred a venue outside Europe to avoid potential bias towards Ukraine, a stance most European nations hold against Russia due to the conflict.
Saudi Arabia's neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, refraining from criticizing Moscow or imposing sanctions, made it an attractive choice. Additionally, being a non-member of the International Criminal Court, Saudi Arabia allows Putin to travel for talks without fear of arrest.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) of Saudi Arabia has fostered a close relationship with President Trump, evident from being the first world leader to speak to Trump after his inauguration. MBS shares a strong bond with Putin and has hosted peace summits, including one on the Ukraine crisis in Jeddah last year.
MBS played a crucial role in facilitating a recent US-Russian detainee swap, showcasing his diplomatic influence. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy involved in the swap, praised MBS's friendship with Trump and his efforts in achieving positive outcomes.
Trump expressed confidence in Saudi Arabia as the summit venue, citing familiarity with the crown prince and the conducive environment for discussions.
