Russia-Ukraine war: Why are US, Ukraine holding talks in Saudi Arabia to end war?

U.S. and Ukrainian leaders will meet in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, March 11, to discuss potential moves towards ending the war with Russia. The gathering is a follow-up to an angry White House session on February 28 between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Donald Trump.

This is the first time in history that representatives of the two countries will have such contacts, the media reported. The main issues to be discussed are a bilateral mineral agreement and how to stop hostilities between Russia and Ukraine.

Escalating U.S.-Ukraine tensions

Following the two presidents' bitter war of words at the White House, tensions between Washington and Kyiv surged. The U.S. suspended military aid to Ukraine and curtailed the exchange of intelligence. It appears that the legal status of 240,000 Ukrainian refugees who entered the U.S. after the invasion by Russia might be canceled by the Trump administration, leaving them vulnerable to deportation.

Zelenskyy's stand at the talks

Ahead of the talks, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will be hosted by President Zelenskyy. Not being a direct party to the negotiations, Ukraine will be represented at the level of its top leaders, including Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

On the American side, the delegation will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and he will also host the Crown Prince. Before the meeting, Sybiha described her talks with Rubio as "constructive."

Saudi's role as mediator

Saudi Arabia has long been a key actor in brokering international conflicts. In 2018, the kingdom was used to broker a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. It recently hosted US-Russia talks. Saudi Arabia's security and oil influence, as well as political authority and willingness, make it a prime candidate to broker the conflict.

Saudi Arabia's diplomatic and economic influence

Its growing position in international diplomacy is a reflection of its growing geopolitical standing. Its amicable relations with Washington, Moscow, Kyiv, and Beijing make it a broker between great world powers. Its alignments and connections with Russia through OPEC+ also lend its position additional weight in the Middle East and the Sunni Muslim world.