Riyadh Talks: A Diplomatic Triumph for Saudi Arabia

In the ever-shifting landscape of global geopolitics, the recent diplomatic discussions hosted in Riyadh between the United States and Russia, orchestrated under the auspices of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, represent a defining moment in the pursuit of peace for Ukraine. These unprecedented talks, led by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, spanned an intense 4.5 hours, culminating in what Russian officials have described as “serious” and “productive” deliberations. Although the path to a sustainable resolution remains fraught with complexity, the Riyadh summit has not only injected a renewed sense of hope into the peace process but also firmly established Saudi Arabia as a rising diplomatic force, capable of deftly managing its relations with both Washington and Moscow.

This summit, convened under the watchful eye of the Saudi Crown Prince, signifies a bold new chapter in the Kingdom’s ascent as a central player in global diplomacy. While Saudi Arabia has long been a dominant force within global energy markets (chiefly through its leadership in OPEC+) its more recent foray into high-level, multifaceted diplomacy signals an ambitious desire to shape international affairs far beyond oil. By offering itself as a neutral host for these landmark talks, the Kingdom has successfully positioned itself as a mediator of rare distinction, able to provide a platform for dialogue between two nations at opposite ends of a bitter geopolitical divide. Few countries, in this volatile moment in history, could boast the diplomatic acumen to achieve such a feat. Moreover, the fact that Saudi Arabia’s per barrel oil production cost is way below Russia’s makes Saudi Arabia as a key broker given that a reduction in the oil prices would greatly hurt Russia.

This diplomatic triumph is not Saudi Arabia’s first. The Kingdom has previously demonstrated its capacity for high-stakes mediation, such as facilitating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine and hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the 2023 Arab League summit. Each of these actions reflects a calculated and well-articulated strategy to enhance Saudi Arabia’s stature on the world stage and bolster its role as a beacon of peace, diplomacy, and stability. In hosting the Riyadh talks, Saudi Arabia has not only reinforced its strategic significance but also heralded the rise of a new, influential player in global conflict resolution.

The talks, which primarily focused on the future of Ukraine revealed an earnest commitment from both Russia and the United States to engage in dialogue, despite Ukraine’s absence from the proceedings. While the omission of Ukraine from the talks was met with intense criticism, particularly from President Zelenskyy, who vehemently argued that any peace talks not involving Ukraine would ultimately prove futile, the very fact that Russia and the United States sat down together marked an important shift. Vital issues such as the formation of high-level negotiation teams to explore the possibility of a lasting settlement were addressed, with both sides expressing a willingness to pursue mutual understanding and find common ground. Russian officials, including Yuri Ushakov, a close advisor to President Vladimir Putin, described the discussions as “going well,” with both parties agreeing to take one another’s concerns into consideration. Similarly, the U.S. State Department labelled the summit as an “important step forward,” reiterating Washington’s commitment to achieving peace through diplomatic channels.

However, the absence of Ukraine at the table has sparked vehement reactions from Kyiv. President Zelenskyy, who was attending other engagements in Turkey at the time, was quick to reiterate his stance that any peace negotiations which exclude Ukraine would be doomed to failure. For Saudi Arabia and its diplomatic allies, the true challenge now lies in bridging this trust deficit and creating a dialogue framework that acknowledges the voices of all parties particularly those who bear the brunt of the conflict.

Beyond its focus on Ukraine, the Riyadh talks also served as a significant venue for broader engagement between the United States and Russia. The two sides agreed to establish a consultation mechanism to address longstanding tensions in their bilateral relationship, with a view to normalizing diplomatic operations and exploring areas of future cooperation.

The timing of the talks could hardly have been more significant. A few hours after the summit concluded, air raid sirens rang out across Kyiv, underscoring the stark urgency of the situation. This juxtaposition of high-level diplomacy and ongoing violence paints a vivid picture of the complexity of the conflict and the monumental challenges faced by those working to bring an end to it. It serves as a potent reminder that, for all the goodwill expressed in such talks, the reality of war remains devastatingly present.

For Saudi Arabia, the successful hosting of the Riyadh talks represents nothing short of a diplomatic triumph. The Kingdom has not only bolstered its ties with both the United States and Russia but has also demonstrated its remarkable ability to bring together parties engaged in some of the most contentious and high-stakes negotiations of our time. If Saudi Arabia were to go on to facilitate further talks, e.g., a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, its stature as a key diplomatic actor would be further solidified. Such an achievement would not only elevate Saudi Arabia’s global profile but also dovetail neatly with its Vision 2030 goals of diversifying its economy and reducing its reliance on oil revenues.

In summary, the Riyadh talks serve as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of diplomacy, and to Saudi Arabia’s ascendant role as a mediator in global conflicts. While the road to peace in Ukraine remains uncertain, the willingness of both Russia and the United States to engage in dialogue is a step in the right direction. For Saudi Arabia, the summit marks a significant strategic victory, one that highlights its remarkable ability to navigate the intricacies of global geopolitics and its emerging position as a bridge between East and West. As the world watches, the Kingdom’s efforts to broker peace in Ukraine may ultimately come to define its legacy as a stabilizing force in an increasingly fragmented and turbulent world.

Hassan Aslam Shad is Senior Legal Counsel at the Law Firm of Salah Al-Hejailan in association with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and a graduate of Harvard Law School, U.S.A. Email: hassanshad@hejailanlaw.com