Russia is considering Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as possible venues for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian sources told Reuters.
According to the sources, senior Russian officials have recently visited Saudi Arabia and the UAE. However, one source noted that Russia still has some concerns about this idea, as certain diplomats and intelligence officials point to the close military ties between these two countries and the US.
Reuters highlights that both Trump and Putin have friendly relations with the rulers of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President of UAE Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have maintained neutrality throughout the war in Ukraine, refraining from criticism and Western sanctions against Russia.
Both leaders also maintain regular contact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Another significant factor is that neither of these countries is a member of the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant for Putin for the abduction of Ukrainian children from occupied territories.
The report also says that Russian sources do not consider Türkiye a potential venue for the meeting at this stage.
Related:
- Russians accidentally drop another “smart bomb” on domestic territory
- Frontline report: Russians lose 400-km radar in Ukrainian drone strike spree
- Drones target Smolensk aviation plant, trigger oil depot fire in Voronezh Oblast
- Ukrainian forces master American V-BAT drone system