Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is due in Saudi Arabia on Monday as Riyadh seeks to rebrand itself as a global mediator. By engaging Kyiv, Moscow and Washington, the country is eager to shift its image from repression to diplomacy, leveraging its global ties to shape conflict resolution efforts.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Saudi Arabia for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (known as MBS) brings into focus Riyadh’s growing influence as a diplomatic player.
Once seen as a regional powerhouse focused on oil and security, Saudi Arabia is carving out a role as a mediator in international conflicts, leveraging its unique global ties, despite its controversial human rights record.
The monarchy – under the defacto rule of Bin Salman – has previously demonstrated its capacity to facilitate negotiations, for example in its brokering of prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine.
In September 2022, Saudi Arabia played a key role in securing the release of 10 foreign prisoners captured in Ukraine, including nationals of the United States and the United Kingdom.
The move reinforced Riyadh's diplomatic reach, and its status as an effective intermediary in high-stakes international disputes. Its strategic relationships with Moscow, Kyiv, Washington and Beijing allow it to bridge gaps where others would struggle.
As the world's top oil producer, the Kingdom is also deeply invested in global stability, recognising that prolonged conflict and sanctions disrupt energy markets.
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Broader diplomatic strategy
By positioning itself as a power broker, Saudi Arabia is actively reshaping its global image, and its ambitions go beyond the Ukraine conflict.
The Kingdom has extended its mediation efforts to other global flashpoints, brokering deals in Sudan, Iran, and Syria.
Riyadh has emphasised engagement and dialogue, seeking diplomatic solutions over punitive measures, in alignment with its broader goal of being seen as a champion of peace and stability on the world stage.
For Washington, keeping Saudi Arabia engaged in diplomatic initiatives is also essential for advancing the US-brokered Abraham Accords, which seek to normalise relations between Israel and Arab states.
Aryeh Lightstone, a former senior adviser to the US ambassador to Israel, has championed the importance of the Abraham Accords, saying: "Israel has gone from a state isolated in its region to a state that plays a role with some of the most important countries in the region."
Riyadh’s influence in the Middle East makes it a crucial player in expanding the accords, and its willingness to engage in diplomacy with adversaries – including Iran – demonstrates its growing leverage.
By maintaining strong ties with Saudi diplomacy, the US can in turn push forward its broader Middle East strategy while ensuring the Kingdom remains aligned with Western-led peace efforts.
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History of repression
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has faced intense international scrutiny, particularly following the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Khashoggi was brutally murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by Saudi agents, in an operation allegedly ordered by the Crown Prince – an allegation Riyadh denies.
Despite its growing diplomatic weight, the Saudi regime remains infamous for its restrictive policies on women’s rights and ongoing human rights abuses, including crackdowns on dissent.
Salma al-Shehab – a Saudi women’s rights activist and PhD student – was sentenced to 34 years in prison in 2022 for tweets advocating for women's rights and political reforms. Her sentence was later reduced to four, followed by a travel ban.
Other controversies include the country's high execution rate and mass executions. In 2022, 81 people were put to death in a single day, with many convicted in secret trials under the Kingdom's broad terrorism laws.
Riyadh is now working to rehabilitate its image by stepping into the role of a global dealmaker, spearheading diplomatic efforts – such as the Russia-Ukraine prisoner swaps and high-profile summits.
It hosted a meeting of US and Russian officials on Ukraine in February. However, the absence of both the EU and Ukraine sparked controversy, with critics arguing it sidelined key stakeholders in the conflict.
