US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, marking a significant shift in US policy towards Russia under the Trump administration. This meeting aims to facilitate a potential summit between President Trump and President Putin. Notably, Ukrainian officials were absent, and President Zelenskyy made it clear that Ukraine would not accept any outcomes from discussions in which it did not participate.
The meeting, attended by key US and Russian officials, highlights the expanding engagement between the two nations, occurring three years into the Ukraine conflict. Many observers are concerned that a deal between Washington and Moscow may overlook Ukraine’s interests. In a show of diplomatic influence, Saudi Arabia has been positioning itself as a mediator in international disputes, seeking to enhance its global standing.
Amidst these developments, the Saudi media has spotlighted Riyadh’s role, framing the meeting as a major global event. This comes as Prince Mohammed seeks to improve his international reputation, having faced criticism for past actions. The backdrop of these discussions includes ongoing tensions concerning the Gaza Strip, with Saudi Arabia carefully navigating its response amidst widespread regional concerns.