Trump Leverages Strong Relationship with Saudi Prince to Pursue Ukraine Deal: Insights from CNN Politics

As President Donald Trump pursues a resolution to the war in Ukraine, he is reaching out to an old friend: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This collaboration could strengthen their ties and elevate Saudi Arabia’s role on the world stage.

Prince bin Salman is not just opening his country for talks; he is playing a significant role in the peace process, according to insiders. His goal is to position Saudi Arabia as a key player internationally.

Trump desires a swift end to the conflict and sees Riyadh as a valuable partner. If the discussions between Trump’s team and Russian officials go well, they may quickly arrange a face-to-face meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin — possibly even in Saudi Arabia next month.

“It’ll be soon, we’ll see what happens,” Trump noted recently. He expressed frustration that this resolution should have been pursued sooner, ideally right after the conflict began.

Historically, major US-Russian meetings took place in European cities like Geneva or Helsinki, but a major summit in Riyadh would be unprecedented.

Other countries, such as Serbia and Switzerland, have offered to host this summit. However, Russian officials preferred Riyadh. They felt that European locations could carry the bias of supporting Ukraine, given the condemnation of Russia’s invasion in most European nations.

In contrast, Saudi Arabia has adopted a neutral stance, refraining from criticizing Russia or joining Western sanctions. Notably, Saudi Arabia is not a member of the International Criminal Court, which issued a warrant for Putin, allowing him to attend talks without fear of arrest.

The relationship between Trump and bin Salman has strengthened over time. The crown prince was one of the first world leaders to personally congratulate Trump when he took office.

“We are glad to work with you and with President Trump,” bin Salman said ahead of a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials. He sees this partnership as beneficial not just for Saudi Arabia and the US but for many countries globally.

If Trump travels to Saudi Arabia for this meeting, it would mark the first two foreign trips of his presidency to the kingdom, a notable shift from the usual visits to neighboring countries like Mexico or Canada.

Eight years ago, Trump received a grand welcome in Saudi Arabia, complete with a brass band and an image of his face displayed at the Ritz-Carlton hotel. This visit would also signify a departure from the isolation Saudi Arabia faced after the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Bin Salman has kept close ties with Putin despite the ongoing conflict. They share autocratic traits and governance styles, making them unlikely allies in these challenging times.

Trump remarked that meeting in Riyadh could prove beneficial. Bin Salman is keen to elevate his influence and has identified the Ukraine crisis as an opportunity, previously hosting a peace summit and engaging with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Recently, bin Salman facilitated a prisoner exchange between the US and Russia, further asserting Saudi Arabia’s role in global diplomacy.

Should the Trump-Putin meeting happen, it would mark their sixth encounter and the second major summit. Their 2018 meeting in Helsinki was marked by controversy when Trump sided with Putin regarding election interference issues.

For Putin, this meeting would continue a long-standing relationship with American presidents. Unlike his predecessors, Trump has consistently maintained a friendly outlook toward Putin.

However, Trump also seeks to mend his relationship with bin Salman amidst complicated factors, especially concerning plans for the Gaza Strip, which have garnered criticism from Saudi Arabia.

Saudi leaders are set to meet to discuss alternative plans for Gaza, opposing Trump’s controversial development proposals.

The outcome of Trump’s proposed financial plans, which have drawn skepticism across the Middle East, hangs in the balance as he prepares for an upcoming financial meeting hosted by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund.

For Trump, the potential investments from Saudi Arabia could play a crucial role in his perception of the country, a fact that Prince bin Salman is undoubtedly aware of.

After Trump suggested that Saudi Arabia could be his first visit if they bought $500 billion in US products, the crown prince quickly indicated a willingness to spend $600 billion over four years.

Shortly after, Trump raised his request, playfully asking for $1 trillion at the World Economic Forum, which elicited laughter from attendees.