The Rising Role of Turkey and Saudi Arabia in Mediating the Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have played a crucial role in mediating the release of nearly 300 prisoners of war in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The prisoner swap, which was the largest since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, came as a shock and immense relief to the families of the detained fighters and political prisoners.

The negotiations were facilitated by Turkey and Saudi Arabia, who have good relationships with both Russia and the West. The Turkish government was thanked by U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan for their role in facilitating the exchange of prisoners. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, brokered the return of 10 foreign nationals captured by Russia, including two Americans, thanks to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In addition to the prisoner swap, Saudi Arabia plans to hold a Ukraine peace summit in Jeddah, which will be attended by Ukraine, the U.S., European nations, China, India, and Brazil, among others. The Saudi and Turkish leaders are also attempting to broker a deal to bring Ukrainian children forcefully deported by Russia back to their families.

The rise of these “middle powers” in mediating such large-scale conflicts signals a shift towards a more multipolar world, where smaller states like Turkey and Saudi Arabia can play significant roles in shaping international realities. Both countries have been able to maintain good relationships with Russia while also being longtime allies of the West.

However, the upcoming peace summit is unlikely to represent a serious step towards ending the war in Ukraine. It will, however, provide a platform for more constructive engagement among Western countries and developing nations in the Global South.

While Turkey and Saudi Arabia’s efforts may not lead to a breakthrough on substance, any diplomatic progress and communication in a conflict with potential nuclear fallout is welcomed. Both NATO and Russia see the working relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia as serving their purposes in avoiding global escalation.

The involvement of these middle powers highlights the changing dynamics of global politics, where players beyond the U.S. and the West can have significant influence and where smaller states are not forced to align

How have Turkey and Saudi Arabia played a pivotal role in facilitating the release of prisoners of war in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have played a pivotal role in facilitating the release of almost 300 prisoners of war in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. This prisoner swap, the largest since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has brought immense relief to the families of those detained, including fighters and political prisoners.

Turkey and Saudi Arabia, with their amicable relations with both Russia and the West, have served as mediators in the negotiations. The Turkish government has received appreciation from U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan for its role in organizing the exchange of prisoners. Similarly, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin allowed Saudi Arabia to facilitate the return of 10 foreign nationals captured by Russia, including two Americans.

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia plans to host a Ukraine peace summit in Jeddah, wherein Ukraine, the U.S., European nations, China, India, Brazil, and others will participate. Additionally, the Saudi and Turkish leaders are working towards a deal that would reunite Ukrainian children, forcefully deported by Russia, with their families.

The involvement of these “middle powers” in mediating such a significant conflict indicates a shift towards a more multipolar world, where smaller states like Turkey and Saudi Arabia can play influential roles in shaping global realities. Both countries have managed to maintain cordial relations with Russia while also being longstanding allies of the West.

However, it is important to note that the upcoming peace summit may not result in substantial progress towards ending the war in Ukraine. Nevertheless, it will provide a platform for constructive engagement among Western countries and developing nations in the Global South.

While Turkey and Saudi Arabia’s efforts might not lead to a breakthrough in substance, any diplomatic progress and communication in a conflict with the potential for nuclear consequences are crucial. Both NATO and Russia view the cooperative relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia as serving their purposes in avoiding global escalation.

The involvement of these middle powers highlights the evolving dynamics of global politics, wherein players beyond the U.S. and the West can wield significant influence. This shift allows smaller states to engage more actively without being compelled to align with larger powers.