The crown prince of Saudi Arabia is winning points for welcoming the United States Russia-States on Ukraine

By Jon Gambrell

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (AP) – The crown prince of Saudi Arabia was not in the room for the first high -level talks between Russia and the United States for the Moscow War against Ukraine on Tuesday, But the Bin Salman of Mohammed has always won the day for the reception The rally which could change the situation in the bloody conflict.

The assertive heir of 39 years of the throne of the kingdom rich in oil has already resumed Saudi Arabia as a de facto chief under his father, King Salman, 89 years old. But the prince’s war in Yemen and the Washington Post journalist in 2018, Jamal Khashoggi, who, according to American intelligence agencies, has come to his orders his international reputation.

Crown prince Mohammed is now found at the center of awareness of the Trump administration in Russia, a Saudi country carefully maintained links during the war by the Cartel Ope + Oil.

The prince probably drew the attention of President Donald Trump when he announced plans for an investment of $ 600 billion in the United States – which prompted the reflections of the American leader on the advisability of making the Saudi Arabia The location of his first foreign trip to this term.

And with Trump suggesting his first meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin – something Moscow hopes that Moscow can bring him from the cold western nations – will take place in Saudi Arabia, Prince Mohammed will probably remain a leading actor.

While the summit opened, the Saudi news agency directed by the state announced that “on the directives of the” royal “, the talks between Russia and the United States take place in Riyadh as” part of the efforts Continuous kingdom to promote world security and peace ” – firmly put the fingerprints of Prince Mohammed on the procedure.

Risks remain for the prince’s strategy

The strategy always presents risks for Prince Mohammed, especially since the ceasefire trembling in the War of Israel-Hamas which ravaged the Gaza Strip remains in question.

Trump’s repeated comments that he wants the United States to “have” Gaza ignited the Arab world. The Palestinians want Gaza and the West Bank for a future state, something supported by almost the entire international community.

In addition, the media of the Saudi state in recent days have openly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – something that has been avoided while Prince Mohammed weighed down a possible diplomatic recognition agreement with Israel under the Biden administration.

The idea of ​​an American property of Gaza – whatever this would mean exactly – also angry the Saudis who support the Palestinians. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to Trump’s initial remarks, said that “its unshakable position was not negotiable and not subject to compromises”.

But the kingdom has not criticized Trump directly.

Then there are long -standing criticisms of OPEC +, in which Saudi Arabia remains the greatest power. In January, Trump said that alliance price reductions could “automatically stop the tragedy that takes place in Ukraine”.

“One way to stop it quickly is that the OPEC stops making so much money and lowering the price of oil because they have well and raised,” said Trump.

However, world oil prices are down more than $ 120 per barrel in 2022 after the large -scale invasion of Ukraine in Russia, at around $ 75 per barrel today. The lower prizes threaten the ambitious projects of Prince Mohammed, including his vision of the futuristic city of Neom, at the price of $ 500 billion.

Peace push supports the burden of Saudi Arabia

During the years in the cold after the murder of Khashoggi, Russia and China offered Saudi Arabia and Prince Mohammed the cachet to be respected by Moscow and Beijing, bypassing persistent concerns about human rights the West. Prince Mohammed organized and spoke by phone with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Putin.

Then, a Chinese mediation agreement in 2023 on the kingdom to restore links with Iran gave Prince Mohammed a new opportunity to show in the United States that others can shape the policy of the Middle East. He also alleged a major security problem for the Kingdom after a probable Iranian attack in 2019 has temporarily reduced oil production in the kingdom.

What the kingdom has perceived as a slow American response to this attack prompted Saudi Arabia to cover its risks thanks to the awareness of Western friends and enemies.

In the Saudi newspaper and published by London, Asharq Al Awsat, journalist Mishari al-Dhaidi described the American summit of Russia on Tuesday as “the restoration of the dialogue between the two poles of the world”.

He called it “a major stage on the international arena of political failures, revealing the status of Saudi Arabia and its positive influence for the benefit of the people all the people.”

Aside from the flowery language, Prince Mohammed’s strategy seems to work – whatever the result of Tuesday’s meeting.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy delayed a visit to Saudi Arabia scheduled for Wednesday, saying that he will travel there in March.

Trump himself could present himself sooner or later, which the Crown Prince will welcome.

“We would be more than happy to work with you and with President Trump and his administration,” the Crown Prince said on Monday evening by meeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “I think you can work with us, Saudi Arabia and for many countries of the world.”

Note from the publisher – Jon Gambrell, Director of News from the Gulf and Iran for the Associated Press, reported in each of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Iran and other places across the Middle East And the whole world since he joined the AP in 2006.

Originally published: February 18, 2025 at 10:14 PST