Why does Saudi Arabia seek a mediator role in the negotiations between the US and Russia?

Analysts believe this highlights the country’s ambition to become a global player capable of effectively mediating international conflicts. Another likely objective is to gain additional leverage in future negotiations regarding the fate of post-war Gaza.

Experts also suggest that hosting the talks in Saudi Arabia may be seen as a significant achievement for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who aims to transform his oil-rich nation into “a state capable of harnessing soft power from its vast wealth.”

Saudi commentator Ali Shihabi states that “there is hardly another place where a leader would have such strong personal relationships with both Trump and Putin,” noting that for Saudi Arabia, hosting this event carries prestige and enhances the country’s soft power on both regional and global stages.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has worked to position itself as a peacemaker. For instance, it hosted a two-day peace summit focused on Ukraine in August 2023 and pledged $400M in aid to Ukraine six months prior.