Saudi Arabia hosts key international talks on Ukraine and Gaza this week

Saudi Arabia is playing a key role in international diplomacy this week, hosting talks between US and Russian officials on Ukraine and an Arab summit on Gaza. This marks a shift as the kingdom seeks to enhance its global influence. Under Donald Trump's second term, Saudi Arabia's relationship with the US has strengthened, despite some disagreements. The kingdom is leveraging its regional power and economic ties to position itself as a leader in Middle Eastern affairs. Saudi Arabia is also pushing for a Palestinian state as a condition for normalizing relations with Israel. This stance complicates potential defense agreements with the US, as the kingdom remains committed to Palestinian statehood amid ongoing tensions in Gaza.