Russia views Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as potential locations for a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to two Russian sources familiar with the discussions who spoke to Reuters. Trump has expressed his intention to conclude the conflict in Ukraine swiftly and has indicated his willingness to meet with Putin. In response, Putin congratulated Trump on his election victory and expressed readiness to engage in talks regarding Ukraine and energy matters.

Despite this, Russian officials have consistently denied any direct communications with the U.S. regarding the organization of a phone call between Trump and Putin, which would precede a possible meeting later this year. Nevertheless, senior Russian officials have made visits to both Saudi Arabia and the UAE in recent weeks, as reported by the anonymous sources due to the delicate nature of the situation. One source noted that there remains some resistance within Russia, as certain diplomats and intelligence personnel are highlighting the close military and security ties that both the Kingdom and the UAE maintain with the United States.

Neither Saudi Arabia nor the UAE provided comments when approached, and the Kremlin also refrained from making a statement. However, both Trump and Putin have cultivated amicable relationships with the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. On Sunday, Trump mentioned that his administration had “meetings and talks scheduled with various parties, including Ukraine and Russia.” In response to these comments, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov indicated that contacts were “apparently planned.”

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was the first foreign leader to receive a call from Trump following his inauguration. During a video address to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump referred to the Crown Prince as “a fantastic guy.”

In September 2023, Putin expressed his gratitude to Mohammed bin Salman for facilitating the largest U.S.-Russian prisoner exchange since the Cold War, following his visits to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Since their initial meeting in 2015, when the prince first traveled to Russia, Putin and Mohammed bin Salman, often referred to as MbS, have developed a strong personal bond.

Putin and Saudi Crown Prince

This relationship has been instrumental in enabling the leaders of the two largest oil-exporting nations to establish and uphold the OPEC+ energy agreement. Trump urged Saudi Arabia and OPEC to reduce oil prices, which could serve as a leverage point for Russia in negotiations.

Throughout the Ukraine conflict, both Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have adopted a neutral stance, avoiding alignment with the West in its criticism and sanctions against Russia. They have also maintained ongoing communication with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made several trips to Russia during the war, and during his most recent visit in October 2024, he expressed his willingness to assist in peace efforts in Ukraine. The UAE has also played a successful role in mediating prisoner exchanges.

Neither nation is a signatory to the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant for Putin, thereby restricting his travel to several countries, including Brazil and South Africa. Currently, Russian sources have ruled out Turkey, a NATO member that facilitated unsuccessful peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in March 2022, as a potential location for discussions.

Fyodor Lukyanov, a prominent Russian analyst and scientific director of the Valdai Discussion Club, which frequently engages with Putin, stated that both Trump and Putin have limited options. He remarked, “The vast majority of the West is aligned with Ukraine. Consequently, traditional meeting places such as Helsinki, Geneva, and Vienna are no longer viable,” as reported by the official TASS news agency.

Lukyanov acknowledged the significant roles of Saudi Arabia and the UAE but pointed out that both nations are strong allies of the U.S., which raises concerns from the Russian perspective. “Nonetheless, as a negotiation venue, it is likely quite feasible,” he added. Lukyanov chose not to provide further comments to Reuters regarding this matter.