President Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman finalized a landmark $600 billion investment agreement, encompassing energy, mining, and defense sectors. A significant component of this deal is a nearly $142 billion arms sale, touted as the largest in history. The White House emphasizes the deal’s strengthening of US energy security and technological leadership. Trump lauded the agreement as fostering economic growth and a more prosperous future for the Middle East.
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Oil tumbles as OPEC+, led primarily by Saudi Arabia, accelerates its output hikes, creating a looming global oil surplus. This strategic move appears multifaceted, potentially aiming to punish several nations for failing to adhere to production quotas, particularly Iraq and Kazakhstan.
The decision to increase oil production despite the looming threat of a global recession is a bold one. It suggests a deliberate attempt to strategically lower prices, impacting various global players. One prominent target seems to be Russia, whose war-torn economy heavily relies on oil exports. A significant price drop could severely cripple Russia’s ability to fund its ongoing military operations in Ukraine.… Continue reading
Upcoming peace talks in Saudi Arabia will involve Ukrainian and US officials, following confirmation of simultaneous US-Russia talks. Zelensky urged Russia to cease its “unnecessary demands,” including halting military aid to Ukraine and forgoing NATO membership for Ukraine, as these only prolong the conflict. He rejected the idea of US ownership of Ukrainian nuclear power plants, though he is open to US investment and modernization. A ceasefire, according to Zelensky, must begin with a land and sea halt to Russian aggression.
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Zelenskyy postponed his previously scheduled visit to avoid coinciding with the U.S.-Russia talks in Riyadh, held on February 18th, emphasizing Ukraine’s exclusion from these discussions. The nearly five-hour meeting between U.S. and Russian foreign ministers resulted in agreements to restore embassy staffing and establish missions focused on peace negotiations. However, reports of a potential three-stage peace plan, including Ukrainian elections, were met with Zelenskyy’s firm rejection of any Russian ultimatums. Ukraine’s position remains that no decisions regarding the war can be made without its direct involvement.
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In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, high-level U.S. and Russian officials met to discuss improving bilateral relations and ending the war in Ukraine. The talks, led by Secretary of State Rubio and Foreign Minister Lavrov, focused on establishing a consultation mechanism and high-level teams to develop a path towards a sustainable peace in Ukraine. Although Ukraine was not initially included, U.S. officials asserted that Ukraine and its European allies would be consulted and involved in future negotiations. The discussions also included explorations of economic cooperation and investment opportunities as part of a potential resolution.
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Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia sought Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s inclusion in US-Russia talks held in Riyadh on February 18th. However, both the US and Russian delegations refused this, preferring a bilateral meeting. Subsequently, Zelenskyy postponed his planned Saudi Arabia visit, citing the exclusion as a surprise. Following the meeting, the US and Russia reported progress on addressing obstacles to bilateral relations and establishing high-level negotiating groups on the Ukraine conflict.
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Following a US-Russia meeting in Riyadh, Ukraine expressed strong disapproval, with President Zelenskyy rejecting any Russian ultimatums and postponing a planned visit to Saudi Arabia. The talks, occurring amidst a fresh Russian drone attack on Ukraine, prompted accusations that decisions regarding Ukraine were made without its input. Kyiv voiced concerns that the discussions were improperly prepared and amounted to a forum for further Russian demands, fearing a repeat of past agreements violated by Russia. Ukraine emphasized its commitment to regaining all occupied territories and dismissed the possibility of compromise.
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Ukrainian President Zelenskyy firmly stated that Ukraine will not participate in, nor recognize any agreements reached in, Saudi Arabia-based talks between Russian and US representatives concerning Ukraine. He emphasized that any negotiations excluding Ukraine are meaningless. Zelenskyy’s own Saudi Arabia visit, focusing on oil price reduction and unrelated to the US-Russia discussions, included plans to address the talks directly with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Zelenskyy believes President Trump holds significant influence over oil prices and could potentially lower them.
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Next week in Saudi Arabia, a Trump-appointed delegation, including Secretary of State Rubio and National Security Adviser Waltz, will meet with Russian officials to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. These talks, following Trump’s calls with Zelenskyy and Putin, aim to facilitate peace with Ukrainian involvement. While Ukraine’s role is a key concern, the potential agreement’s terms remain undefined, though NATO membership for Ukraine and full territorial reclamation seem unlikely. Further high-level meetings, including a Trump-Putin summit, are anticipated.
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Saudi Arabia firmly rejected President Trump’s assertion that it wouldn’t require a Palestinian state for normalized relations with Israel, stating that its support for a Palestinian homeland is unwavering and non-negotiable. This announcement directly counters Trump’s proposal to have the U.S. take over Gaza after Palestinian resettlement. The Saudi foreign ministry emphasized Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s clear and explicit stance against any displacement of Palestinians. This position reflects widespread Arab concern over potential Palestinian displacement and underscores the high stakes involved in Saudi-Israeli relations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood