MEZIESBLOG

By Ivor Bennett, Moscow-based journalist

Russia has a lot to gain from sitting down in Saudi Arabia with the Americans.

Firstly, the optics. After three years of being frozen out by the West, they’re being brought back in from the cold. It’s powerful visual currency – pariahs no longer.

Secondly, the chance to expand Russian-US cooperation. As well as Ukraine, there’s the Middle East, Iran’s nuclear programme, AI, energy, economy etc. 

The Kremlin clearly wants a complete reset, saying the meeting will be devoted to restoring the “entire complex” of relations.

Thirdly, ending the war. It’s been costly for Moscow, in terms of money and manpower, so I think they do genuinely want it to end. But only on their terms, or terms that they can claim are theirs.

And that brings us to the last point – in the Trump administration, the Kremlin appears to have a sympathetic broker, after Washington seemingly gave up two key bargaining chips to the Kremlin last week (on NATO membership and territory) before talks had begun.

What’s more, the talks can be spun to fit the Kremlin’s narrative, that Russia is the victim and has wanted peace all along. 

Just look at this quote from Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, after announcing Russia’s delegation: “It is gratifying that the world has begun to talk about the need to stop the conflict in Ukraine – until recently they wanted it to continue.”

Zelenskyy to travel to Saudi Arabia – but has no plans to meet Russian officials

Ukraine’s president will travel to Saudi Arabia this week, MEZIESBLOG understands.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy could arrive as early as Tuesday evening, but has no plans to meet with Russian officials, a source said.

It comes as US and Russian diplomats prepare to hold talks in the capital Riyadh tomorrow. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and US secretary of state Marco Rubio are among those set to be involved.

Zelenskyy’s trip is thought to have been planned before the US-Russia talks were announced.

It is unclear if he will meet with any of the US delegation.

It comes after the Ukrainian leader paid a visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last night for a summit with its president.

Analysis: Widespread feeling in Europe that Trump acted in haste

By Adam Parsons, Europe-based journalist

European leaders have been taken aback by both the words and deeds of Donald Trump’s team. They are stunned by the idea that a Ukraine peace detail could exclude them, not to mention Ukraine itself. 

The concept that, after three years of war, Europe should accept diktats from Washington, and even Moscow, is considered absolutely unpalatable. 

There is a widespread feeling that Trump has acted in haste, and that his friendly overtones to Vladimir Putin have undermined their own diplomacy.

Many are also irritated by the tone taken by Trump, and most noticeably his vice president JD Vance, whose speech in Munich was seen by many as condescending and ill-judged. 

And they’re concerned about the consequences if America, a close ally ever since the end of the Second World War, should suddenly go cold on Europe. 

Yes, that might prompt an increase in defence spending, but it would also lead to a rethink on so many strategic ideas to do with economic, political, military and diplomatic ties.

Trump does have friends in Europe – notably Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Slovakian leader Robert Fico and Alice Weidel, leader of the AfD in Germany. 

But most European leaders still come from the political centre – and they are not happy.