Russia is considering Saudi Arabia and the UAE as possible venues for a Trump-Putin meeting, despite concerns about the Gulf states’ ties with the U.S. Both leaders of these nations maintain neutrality in the Ukraine conflict and interact with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Additionally, neither country is a member of the International Criminal Court, which complicates the situation for President Putin.
Russia is exploring the possibility of hosting a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as reported by Russian sources through Reuters. Senior Russian officials have notably made recent visits to these countries. Despite these considerations, there remain concerns among Russian officials regarding the close military alignment between Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the United States.
Both Trump and Putin enjoy amicable relations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, both leaders have adopted a neutral stance, refraining from condemning Russia or participating in Western sanctions. They also maintain dialogues with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Moreover, a relevant factor is that neither Saudi Arabia nor the UAE is a signatory to the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant for President Putin concerning allegations of abduction of Ukrainian children from occupied territories. At this moment, Russian sources have ruled out Türkiye as a feasible location for the bilateral meeting.
This article discusses Russia’s assessment of potential meeting venues for a summit between President Trump and President Putin amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Noteworthy considerations include the relationships between the leaders of Russia, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE within the context of the war in Ukraine. The neutral stance of the Gulf states and their non-membership in the International Criminal Court are pivotal aspects of the discussion.
In conclusion, Russia is contemplating Saudi Arabia and the UAE as suitable venues for a potential Trump-Putin meeting, amid concerns regarding the close ties these countries have with the U.S. Notably, both Gulf leaders have maintained a neutral approach during the Ukraine crisis and have ongoing communication with the Ukrainian leadership. Additionally, the lack of membership in the International Criminal Court further complicates diplomatic interactions for President Putin.
Original Source: euromaidanpress.com
