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Saudi Arabia has maintained a neutral stance, promoting dialogue based on the pragmatic interests of all participants
Since the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Middle Eastern countries have frequently been mentioned in the media as mediators in the dialogue between the West and Russia. They have actively participated in humanitarian efforts, such as prisoner exchanges, and have played a crucial role in various aspects of the negotiation process. Most recently and perhaps most crucially, Saudi Arabia hosted the first high-level talks between Russia and the United States in three years, which took place on February 18, 2025.
The negotiations brought together key representatives from both sides. The Russian delegation was led by Presidential Foreign Policy Advisor Yuri Ushakov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and also included Kirill Dmitriev, Director of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). Representing the US were Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Special Envoy for Middle East Peace Stephen Whitkoff.
The talks lasted over four hours, with a short break for lunch. Ushakov’s comments suggested that no major breakthroughs should be expected at this stage. He described the discussions as “serious,” but emphasized that it was premature to speak of any convergence in positions. A much-anticipated meeting between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump is unlikely to take place in the near future; however, both sides agreed to work on creating the necessary conditions for such a summit, taking each other’s interests into account.
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the decision to establish a high-level negotiation group focused on Ukraine. The US has already appointed Keith Kellogg as its representative, tasked with liaising with Kiev and the European Union. Russia is expected to announce its representative soon.
Another significant achievement was the agreement to appoint new ambassadors in Washington and Moscow and restore the size of diplomatic missions, which had been significantly reduced in recent years due to mutual expulsions. Additionally, a consultation mechanism was established to help mitigate tensions in bilateral relations.
Economic cooperation was also on the agenda. According to Kirill Dmitriev, both parties explored potential areas of collaboration, including energy-related projects. The US proposed a moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure, to which the Russian side reportedly responded by stating that it does not target civilian facilities.
Following the talks in Riyadh, media reports suggested that Russia and the US had allegedly agreed on a three-stage plan to resolve the Ukraine conflict, involving a ceasefire, elections, and a final settlement. However, Lavrov dismissed the claims, clarifying that the discussions were more general in nature.
Overall, the meeting was primarily consultative, aimed at initiating dialogue and laying the groundwork for normalizing relations between Russia and the US. Both sides acknowledged the need to consider mutual interests and to work toward restoring communication channels, which could serve as a foundation for further negotiations and compromise on key issues.
For decades, the global community has viewed the Middle East as a region plagued by endless conflicts and political instability. However, recent years have seen a significant transformation: the region is no longer merely an object of international relations but is increasingly becoming an active player, assuming a more prominent role in global affairs.
Israel’s mediation attempt
One of the earliest attempts at mediation between Moscow and Kiev was led by Israeli diplomacy. Although it ultimately failed, it was this Middle Eastern nation that first sought a compromise to end the crisis fueled by the West’s destructive policies. The details of this effort only came to light later, when former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett gave a five-hour interview to Israel’s Channel 12 on February 4, 2023.
Following the interview, reports emerged in global and Russian media that during negotiations between President Putin and then-PM Bennett in March of the previous year, Putin had assured that the special military operation in Ukraine did not include plans for the physical elimination of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Bennett’s statements, emphasizing that Russia does not disclose details of high-level talks.
It is important to note that the issue of Zelensky’s so-called “elimination” was unlikely to have been central to the Moscow meeting or any subsequent discussions. The SMO has entirely different objectives than those portrayed by Western media.
During the interview, Bennett spoke about his life after stepping down, his children, and his interactions with world leaders. However, the most significant revelations concerned his talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow on March 5, 2022 – just two weeks after the start of the military operation.
At the time, global media briefly covered Bennett’s visit, mentioning discussions about the situation in Ukraine. However, he disclosed that the trip had been motivated by several factors: a warning about a potential war a month before its outbreak and a direct plea from Zelensky for an urgent settlement with Russia. According to Bennett, at least 17 draft agreements had been prepared, but none were finalized due to the West’s – particularly Washington’s – refusal to support peace negotiations.
Following talks with the US administration, it became clear that Washington expected Israel to support Ukraine, including by providing military aid. However, Israel faced a conflict of interest with Russia, particularly in Syria, where Russian S-300 air defense systems could pose a threat to Israeli aircraft. Bennett noted that in light of this, Israel made a strategic decision to provide only humanitarian assistance to Ukraine while refraining from supplying weapons in order to maintain a balance of interests and avoid jeopardizing Jewish communities in both Russia and Ukraine.
Bennett also revealed that his visit to Moscow had been in the works even before the start of the military operation, following a prior meeting with Putin in Sochi. Their discussions had covered World War II history, Russia’s Middle East policy, Iran, and Syria. Two days before his Moscow trip, Zelensky had called him personally, asking him to relay a request for a direct meeting with Putin. However, Putin reportedly declined.
According to Bennett, his trip to Moscow on March 5, 2022, was initiated in response to Zelensky’s urgent request, as the Ukrainian president feared for his life and had even been offered political asylum by the US. At the time, Bennett believed he was making the right decision in trying to halt the conflict. However, the ultimate impact of his efforts remains unclear, as the political landscape has shifted dramatically. The key takeaway from Bennett’s account is that the West ultimately chose confrontation over diplomacy, opting not to negotiate with Putin but instead to try to “crush” him.
Istanbul – a promising peace effort derailed by the West
In efforts to find a path toward resolving the Ukrainian crisis, Middle Eastern countries emerged as key venues for negotiations. After initial talks in Belarus, the next significant diplomatic hub became Istanbul, Türkiye. Eager to play the role of a peacemaker, Ankara offered its territory for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. With its strategic location and functional relationships with both sides of the conflict, Türkiye sought to establish itself as a mediator and an active participant in the peace process.
On March 29, 2022, in-person negotiations between Russia and Ukraine took place in Istanbul. During these talks, both parties outlined preliminary conditions and principles for a ceasefire, as well as mechanisms for further peaceful settlement.
One of the central topics of discussion was Ukraine’s neutral status, which included renouncing NATO membership, prohibiting foreign military bases on its territory, and abandoning the development of nuclear weapons. Kiev, in return, sought international security guarantees similar to NATO’s Article 5, excluding the territories of Crimea, the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), and the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR). Potential guarantors included the permanent members of the UN Security Council (France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and China), as well as Germany, Israel, Italy, Canada, Poland, and Türkiye.
Moscow, for its part, agreed to reduce military activity in the Kiev and Chernigov directions. Ukraine, in turn, pledged not to attempt military action regarding Crimea for the next 15 years, after which its status would be subject to negotiations. However, the Ukrainian side reaffirmed its intention to join the EU.
The Russian delegation was led by Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, while Ukraine was represented by David Arakhamia, leader of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction. According to Medinsky, “for the first time, the Kiev authorities expressed their willingness to negotiate” and to take Russia’s demands into account.
Türkiye, as the second Middle Eastern platform in the negotiation process, actively sought to reinforce its mediating role. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan repeatedly offered Türkiye as a venue for talks between Moscow and the West, aiming to de-escalate tensions. One of Ankara’s few diplomatic successes was the grain deal, which ensured the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, contributing to global food security.
However, like many other peace initiatives, the Istanbul negotiations were ultimately derailed. In April 2022, the British newspaper The Times, citing sources, reported that then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, during a visit to Kiev, had persuaded Ukrainian leadership to abandon the talks. Later, in November 2023, David Arakhamia confirmed that the decision had been made under pressure from London.
In February 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an interview with Tucker Carlson, once again emphasized that Western countries were the primary reason for the failure of the Istanbul negotiations, as they were unwilling to end the conflict. Once again, the West’s destructive policies aimed at prolonging the crisis led to the collapse of peace efforts.
Arab nations have played a significant role in mediation efforts aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine, facilitating prisoner exchanges, reuniting children with their families, and organizing peace talks. Their active engagement reflects the region’s commitment to promoting a peaceful settlement and strengthening humanitarian ties between the warring sides.
One of the key initiatives has been the involvement of the United Arab Emirates in organizing prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine. Since early 2024, the UAE has facilitated 12 such exchanges, leading to the release of 2,583 individuals. One of the most recent exchanges resulted in the liberation of 25 prisoners from each side, marking another successful step in the negotiation process. Riyadh has also played a crucial role – Saudi Arabia previously brokered an exchange in which Ukraine released 55 soldiers, while Russia freed 215 individuals, including ten foreign fighters who had been fighting for Kiev – one of the most significant prisoner swaps conducted amid the ongoing hostilities.
Beyond prisoner exchanges, Qatar has been a key player in humanitarian initiatives. Doha has actively assisted in the repatriation of Ukrainian children who were separated from their families due to the conflict. In October 2023, with Qatar’s mediation, several Ukrainian children were returned home – an important step in addressing one of the war’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that it had arranged temporary accommodations for the children and their families at the Qatari embassy in Moscow before facilitating their safe return. In February 2025, Qatar’s mediation enabled two 12-year-old sisters to reunite with their mother in Russia after an extended stay with their grandparents in Ukraine. The meeting took place at the Qatari embassy in Moscow, underscoring the high level of trust in Qatar’s diplomatic efforts. According to Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Qatar’s assistance has helped 17 children from 11 families reunite with their loved ones in Russia, while 95 children from 75 families have been reunited with relatives in Ukraine and other countries.
In addition to humanitarian efforts, Arab states have been actively involved in diplomatic initiatives aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. In May 2023, the League of Arab States (LAS) hosted a summit in Jeddah, inviting Zelensky. The summit discussions focused on potential pathways to peace and the possibility of involving Arab nations in mediation efforts. This invitation signaled the region’s willingness to contribute to resolving the crisis and to strengthen diplomatic ties with Ukraine.
Another significant event was the Jeddah International Summit in August 2023, which gathered representatives from over 40 countries, including China, India, Brazil, Egypt, and South Africa. However, Ukraine used the platform primarily to advocate its own demands, disregarding Moscow’s interests. Kiev attempted to push its so-called “peace formula,” which effectively consisted of ultimatums to Russia, leaving little room for compromise. Although Moscow did not participate in the summit, Saudi authorities maintained close contact with Russian leadership and provided updates on the discussions. Riyadh also urged the Ukrainian side to consider Russia’s interests, emphasizing the need for a genuine negotiation process rather than the imposition of unilateral conditions.
Arab nations continue to play a crucial role in mediation efforts aimed at securing peace and stability in the region. Leveraging their diplomatic influence and strategic positions, they facilitate dialogue between conflicting parties, support humanitarian initiatives, and contribute to global peace efforts. Their involvement in resolving the Ukraine conflict underscores the Middle East’s growing role as a reliable mediator and peacekeeping force on the international stage.
Why Riyadh?
Saudi Arabia has not only acted as a mediator in the Ukraine conflict but has also laid the groundwork for potential dialogue between Moscow and Washington – an initiative that could ultimately contribute to resolving the crisis. Thanks to its diplomatic weight and strategic position, Riyadh has managed to establish a platform for communication even in the midst of heightened tensions, at a time when direct talks between Russia and the US had been largely suspended.
The choice of Saudi Arabia as a mediator is no coincidence. The kingdom occupies a unique position in global politics: it maintains stable and mutually beneficial relations with Moscow, particularly in the energy sector, while also having established strong ties with the US political elite. Notably, Riyadh forged especially close contacts with the Trump administration during the former president’s tenure. As a result, Saudi Arabia became a crucial backchannel for conveying messages between Russia and US political circles interested in de-escalation.
Beyond geopolitical considerations, Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic approach played a decisive role. The kingdom has maintained a truly neutral stance, refraining from unequivocally siding with any party in the conflict and adhering to the principles of multilateral diplomacy. Unlike the West, Riyadh has not attempted to impose pre-set solutions or ultimatums; instead, it has promoted dialogue based on the objective interests of all parties involved. This balanced policy has allowed Saudi Arabia to become a rare intersection of Russian, American, and Ukrainian interests.
Amid global instability and the weakening of international institutions, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated that the Middle East is not merely a stage for conflicts but also a hub for diplomatic initiatives. By laying the foundation for renewed negotiations between Moscow and Washington, Riyadh has opened new possibilities for rekindling dialogue – a dialogue that could shift not only the trajectory of the Ukrainian crisis but also the broader landscape of US-Russia relations. Ultimately, the success of these mediation efforts could become a turning point in shaping a new global security architecture, where power is not concentrated solely in traditional centers but also in nations that possess strategic foresight and diplomatic flexibility – such as Saudi Arabia.
