Providing ‘Good Services’. Saudi Arabia’s Role as a Facilitator in US-Russian Talks on the Ukraine War

After the announcement by US President Donald Trump to enter talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia aiming to initiate peace talks on the Ukraine war, high-ranking delegations from both countries convened in Riyadh on 18 February 2025 to prepare for the leaders’ bilateral meeting. For Saudi Arabia this summit represents a significant milestone in advancing its role as a platform for conflict resolution and to deepen its relations with both Russia and the US. The Saudi leadership had been active in various initiatives regarding the Ukraine war since it began in February 2022. Against this backdrop, this CARPO Pulse examines Saudi Arabia’s growing relevance as a facilitator in global diplomacy and its capacities to engage both with Russia and the US administration under Trump.