Saudi Arabia is emerging as a key diplomatic player under U.S. President Donald Trump, involved in critical negotiations on both the war in Ukraine and the future of Gaza.
The Kingdom has expressed its willingness to host a summit between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, even as it leads Arab efforts to come up with an alternative to Trump's controversial plan for taking over the Gaza Strip - but without its Palestinian residents.
Newsweek has reached out to the Saudi Foreign Ministry for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Saudi Arabia's diplomatic maneuvers reflect its ambitions to assert itself globally while securing its own geopolitical interests. Its support for a negotiated peace in Ukraine could bolster its influence with both Washington and Moscow, while its leadership on Gaza underscores its regional authority. The Kingdom's balancing act will test its ability to navigate the complex dynamics of great power competition and Middle East stability.
Saudi Arabia's Role in Russia-Ukraine Talks
On Friday, Saudi Arabia said it welcomed a recent phone call between Trump and Putin, signaling its readiness to mediate discussions to end the three-year Ukraine war. President Trump recently said he will "probably" meet Putin in Saudi Arabia in the "not-too-distant future."
The Kingdom reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to peace efforts, recalling Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's prior engagements with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The crown prince is one of the few global leaders to enjoy a close relationship with both Trump and Putin, while most Arab heads of state see him as critical to tackling a more unpredictable Washington.
Counterproposal to Trump's Gaza Plan
At the same time, Saudi Arabia is spearheading efforts to come up with an alternative for Trump's vision for Gaza, which involves relocating Palestinians to Jordan and Egypt. The Kingdom, along with Egypt, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, is working on a framework that would exclude Hamas from governance while ensuring Palestinian statehood remains on the table.
A key component of the emerging plan, led by Egypt, proposes a national Palestinian committee to oversee Gaza's administration, supported by Gulf-backed reconstruction efforts.
Before Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that began the latest war in Gaza, Saudi Arabia had been in discussions on potential ties with Israel, but it has so far set the establishment of a Palestinian state as a condition for that.
What People Are Saying
Negar Mortazavi, Senior Fellow, Center for International Policy told Newsweek: "Saudi Arabia's recent diplomatic maneuvers reflect a growing maturity from Riyadh that we didn't see during President Donald Trump's first term. The Kingdom appears to have moved on from an unrealistic foreign policy approach towards the region, and instead seems to be using its leverage and embracing diplomacy as a tool for regional stability and strategic influence."
Saudi foreign ministry statement: "The kingdom expresses its welcome to hosting the summit in Saudi Arabia, and reaffirms its ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine."
President Donald Trump told reporters: "We expect that he'll (Putin) come here, and I'll go there, and we're gonna meet also probably in Saudi Arabia the first time, we'll meet in Saudi Arabia, see if we can get something something done."
What Happens Next
Saudi Arabia is expected to present its Gaza proposal at an upcoming Arab summit on February 27, seeking regional consensus before engaging Washington.
Simultaneously, the Kingdom's diplomatic efforts on Ukraine will continue, with Riyadh positioning itself as a key venue for high-level negotiations.
Updated on 02/14/2025 at 11:28 a.m. ET with comment from analyst
About the writer
Amir Daftari is a Newsweek reporter based in London, specializing in global affairs with a focus on the Middle East. ... Read more