Zelenskyy visits Riyadh days after the second anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. After arriving in Saudi Arabia, Zelenskyy praised the former for its efforts in “restoring peace” in Ukraine. It is not just the Russia-Ukraine issue, where Saudi Arabia has significantly re-oriented its foreign policy. In recent years, Beijing has become far more pro-active in the Gulf and ties with Saudi Arabia have been one of the highlights of the same. Saudi has also been pushing for a security pact with the US.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Riyadh on February 27, 2024 and held a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince, Muhammad Bin Salman with a focus on ending the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Saudi Arabia has been on the same page with Russia regarding energy policies, via the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) — both countries have taken the lead in pushing oil cuts to keep oil prices high — much to the displeasure of the US. At the same time — like several other Middle Powers — Saudi Arabia has offered to act as a mediator between Moscow and Kyiv to end the war between both sides and sought to take a balanced position.
Timing of Zelenskyy’s Saudi visit
Zelenskyy’s visit comes at an interesting time — days after the second anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which began on February 24, 2024. It would also be pertinent to point out, that on February 26, 2024, a day before Zelenskyy’s Saudi visit, Muhammad Bin Salman had met with Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin. During this meeting, close ties between Riyadh and Moscow, as well as “prospects of parliamentary cooperation” were discussed.
During the Ukrainian President’s visit, the focus area was Zelenskyy’s peace plan and assistance from Saudi Arabia for Ukraine’s reconstruction. This peace plan – rejected by Moscow — includes the expulsion of Russian forces from Ukraine and punishing those responsible for war crimes. Both sides also discussed the issue of POWs.
According to media statements, the Saudi Crown Prince on his part: “affirmed the kingdom’s keenness and support for all international endeavours and efforts aimed at resolving the Ukrainian-Russian crisis”
After arriving in Saudi Arabia, Zelenskyy praised the former for its efforts in “restoring peace” in Ukraine and said that Saudi Arabia could play an important part in finding a solution. Zelenskyy also acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s role in the release of Ukrainian POWs.
According to media statements, the Saudi Crown Prince on his part: “affirmed the kingdom’s keenness and support for all international endeavours and efforts aimed at resolving the Ukrainian-Russian crisis”
Saudi’s foreign policy re-orientation
It is not just the Russia-Ukraine issue, where Saudi Arabia has significantly re-oriented its foreign policy. In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia signed an agreement for the resumption of diplomatic ties with Iran in March 2023. China brokered this deal. Both countries re-opened embassies and exchanged ambassadors in 2023. Tehran and Riyadh have also been in close touch ever since the Israel-Palestine conflict began in October 2023. Many argue, that this conflict could further strengthen ties between Tehran and Riyadh.
Also Read: The Iranian Playfield: American Hostilities, Chinese Investments, Russian Cooperation
Saudi Arabia was also working towards normalization of relations with Israel, Several other Arab countries including UAE and Bahrain had established diplomatic ties with Israel in 2020, via the Abraham Accord. Normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel has become tougher in light of the Israel-Palestine conflict (normalization of ties with Israel was one of the important conditions of a security pact, which Saudi Arabia has been seeking to sign with the US). Saudi Arabia has categorically stated, that unless Israel recognizes an independent Palestinian state, Riyadh will not be able to normalize ties with Israel.
Riyadh has successfully reoriented its external relations and has been deft in handling numerous geopolitical challenges – in the Middle East and beyond.
In recent years, Beijing has become far more pro-active in the Gulf and ties with Saudi Arabia have been one of the highlights of the same. Xi Jinping’s December 2022 visit and the first China–Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit hosted by MBS is a strong reiteration of this. The Chinese President received a far warmer welcome than US President Joe Biden who had visited Saudi in July 2022.
Saudi Arabia – US ties
While strengthening ties with Beijing, the Middle Eastern nation realizes the importance of robust economic and strategic ties with the US. In March 2023, two Saudi airlines announced a massive aircraft deal with Boeing. While commenting on the importance of this deal, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said: “We are particularly pleased that Boeing was able to finally conclude these deals with Saudi Arabia after years of discussions,”
Significantly, this announcement came days after the signing of the Iran-Saudi Agreement (which came on March 10, 2023)
Apart from this, Saudi has been pushing for a security pact, as mentioned earlier, with the US — which is in limbo due to Israel’s outright refusal regarding the creation of a Palestinian state. Ties with the US are essential not just from a strategic point of view, but also for Saudi Arabia’s ambitious reform agenda and economic vision.
Also Read: Biden Vs Trump 2024: The Geopolitics of Russia-Ukraine & Israel-Hamas in USA’s Politics
Conclusion
While there has been a lot of focus and debate regarding Saudi Arabia’s domestic policies, especially economic and social reforms being carried out by the Gulf nation, Riyadh has successfully reoriented its external relations and has been deft in handling numerous geopolitical challenges – in the Middle East and beyond.
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