Following a 90-minute phone conversation between the US and Russian presidents on Wednesday,
Saudi Arabia issued a statement on Friday endorsing the call between Presidents Putin and Trump and expressing support for a summit between the two leaders in the Kingdom. The nearly 90-minute phone call on Wednesday marked the first known direct communication between the US and Russian heads of state since the Ukraine conflict escalated in February 2022.
Following the Wednesday call, President Trump informed reporters at the White House that talks would occur in Saudi Arabia.
“The Kingdom welcomes hosting the summit and reaffirms its ongoing commitment to achieving lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine, a commitment maintained since the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis,” the statement declared. Riyadh noted its consistent efforts over the past three years.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has engaged in repeated discussions with both President Zelensky and President Putin, offering assistance in peace negotiations to both Moscow and Kyiv. In December 2023, the Crown Prince visited Russia and met with President Putin. Discussions during that visit covered the Ukraine conflict, oil prices, OPEC+, and the Gaza conflict.
President Trump also announced on Thursday that American and Russian officials would meet on the sidelines of a Munich event on Friday, with Ukraine also invited. However, this meeting wasn’t officially confirmed by the Conference or reported in the media.
US and Ukrainian delegations did meet at the conference, with President Zelensky stating his readiness for swift progress toward a genuine and secure peace. He also specified that he would only meet with President Putin, contingent on a joint strategy with the US president and European partners.
US Vice President J.D. Vance also advocated for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. “It’s crucial for us to convene and initiate the discussions needed to resolve this situation,” he stated.