The Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry confirmed Friday that President Trump is interested in hosting a summit between President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in the near future.
President Trump held a telephone conversation with Putin on Wednesday, with the two agreeing to meet at least once in person, followed by a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky. Both talks began during former President Joe Biden's term in office after Biden lifted Trump-era sanctions in a proposed pipeline linking Russia to Western Europe known as Node Stream 2. It focused on plans to end the invasion of Ukraine.
Following conversations with both presidents, Trump told reporters in Washington that he was happy to travel to Russia to meet with Putin and hopes that Russian strongman will come to the United States. He also proposed Saudi Arabia as the third neutral territory to hold the summit.
“I hope we will meet in the end,” Trump said. I said Putin's. “In fact, we expect him to come here. I'll go there. We'll probably see him in Saudi Arabia too. The first time we'll see him in Saudi Arabia.”
Riyadh responded enthusiastically to the mention as a potential summit host location. The Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry on Friday made a statement on the announcement that it would “praise the calls made” between the two leaders and that it could hold a summit in attendance with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It has been announced. ”
“The Kingdom welcomes the holding of a summit in Saudi Arabia and reaffirms its continued efforts to achieve lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine.
Regardless of that statement, Zelensky announcement On Friday, he plans to tour several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, in the near future, discussing trade and peace, as well as concerns in the Middle Eastern region.
In a social media statement following the call, Trump described his conversation with Putin as “very productive.” Among the topics Trump listed as part of the talks were Ukraine, the Middle East, “energy, artificial intelligence… and various other subjects.”
“We want to stop millions of deaths in the war with Russia/Ukraine. Putin even used my very powerful campaign motto, the motto of “common sense.” We believe both very strongly,” Trump wrote.
Trump likewise celebrated his call with Zelensky as a positive one.
“The conversation went very well. He wants to create peace, like Putin,” Trump said in another statement on the true social aspects of his website. “We discussed various topics related to the war, but most of the time Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the delegation at a meeting established in Munich on Friday. .”
Trump did not elaborate on his comments to reporters on why Saudi Arabia saw it as a viable place for meetings with Putin, but the country has few that enjoy friendly relations with both Ukraine and Russia It's one of the things and is involved in several attempts to do. Peace including prisoner swaps and humanitarian aid transactions. For example, in 2023, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced to Ukraine a $400 million donation, including $300 million in oil products and $100 million in humanitarian aid to civilians affected by the war. I did.
“Ukraine is grateful for Saudi Arabia's support. In a statement at the time, Zelensky values his willingness to help his Royal Highness recover peace more quickly.
File/painted Matrioshka dolls, also known as Russian nestor dolls, featuring the faces of Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump on display at a souvenir shop in St. Petersburg, Russia on May 31, 2020 . Getty Images)
At the same time, Riyadh maintained friendly relations with Russia and open trade, resisting Western pressures imposing sanctions. In late 2023, Mohammed bin Salman welcomed Putin for an in-person meeting to discuss trade, defense and security concerns. Bin Salman emphasized that Saudi Arabia will not expel Russia.
“I would like to repeat the President over and over that you are a precious guest here in Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince told Putin.
“A lot has happened in our relationship during this period, but over the past seven years they have certainly reached a truly unprecedented level,” Putin said at the meeting. “This was achieved due to the wise policies of your father. This is the custodian of the holy mosque of the two Kings of Saudi Arabia and is your direct participation.”
Zelensky has previously expressed concern about talks involving Ukraine that did not include him. It's a situation where Trump and Putin could meet in Saudi Arabia. In a conversation with the Associated Press in early February, Zelensky said in a comfortable way that Russia and the US “have their own relationship… talking about Ukraine without us – that's dangerous for everyone.” I warned that there was.
In comments Thursday, Trump asserted that Ukraine was sitting at the table during talks to end the Russian invasion, clearly addressing Zelensky's concerns.
“Of course they have seats at the negotiation table – ed.), I mean they're part of it,” Trump said. ukrinform. He also explained why he chose to talk to Putin before talking to Zelensky.
“Someone said, oh, I should have called Zelensky first. I don't think so. I mean, I have to find out if Russia wants to do a deal. He told me So I know that Zelensky wants to trade, but I know that now Russia wants to trade,” Trump insisted.
