Moscow Considers Saudi Arabia, UAE for Potential Putin-Trump Summit

Moscow is evaluating Saudi Arabia and the UAE as potential venues for a summit between President Putin and President Trump to negotiate an end to the Ukraine conflict. Despite some opposition from Russian officials regarding the summit’s location due to U.S. ties, both leaders have shown interest in discussing this pressing issue.

Recent reports indicate that Moscow is contemplating Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as potential venues for upcoming discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. Sources familiar with the matter stated that both leaders have expressed a desire to convene to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, an issue Trump previously asserted he could resolve swiftly if elected.

Notably, senior Russian officials have recently visited both nations. Nonetheless, some Russian diplomatic and intelligence circles have reservations about holding the summit in these countries due to their strong alliances with U.S. military and intelligence agencies. Meanwhile, Trump proclaimed that discussions with Russian officials aimed at negotiating an end to the Ukraine conflict are already underway, a statement that Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov corroborated, revealing that such contacts are seemingly in the works.

Although Saudi Arabia and the UAE have refrained from endorsing Western sanctions against Russia or condemning its invasion of Ukraine, their leaders continue to maintain diplomatic communications with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Additionally, both nations are not signatories of the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant for Putin due to alleged war crimes in 2023.

It is also essential to note that Russia has dismissed Turkey, a NATO member, as a potential summit location, referencing its involvement in prior failed peace negotiations that took place in Istanbul in March 2022. This development highlights the complexities of international diplomacy surrounding the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.

The possible meeting between President Putin and President Trump is set against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine, a conflict that has garnered international attention and led to significant geopolitical tensions. The choice of venue for the summit is particularly significant as the selected country’s diplomatic stance could influence the nature and outcomes of the discussions. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have maintained neutral diplomatic relations, making them intriguing venues despite their alignment with U.S. interests. This consideration comes amidst intensified scrutiny of Russia’s military actions and the ramifications of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) involvement in seeking accountability for alleged war crimes.

In summary, Moscow is considering Saudi Arabia and the UAE as potential venues for a summit between Presidents Putin and Trump, aimed at discussing an end to the conflict in Ukraine. The decision is influenced by the geopolitical implications of the chosen location, particularly with some Russian officials expressing caution due to the host nations’ ties with the U.S. The evolving diplomatic landscape remains pivotal as discussions evolve around this crucial international issue.

Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com