What Does Saudi Arabia’s Rebranding Mean for Global Diplomacy?

Alfa Uddin
24/03/2025

Historically, Western nations have played a near-exclusive role in international mediation. In recent years, however, Middle Eastern nations have stepped onto the global stage in new ways, not just as parties to conflicts or oil negotiations, but as active mediators in conflicts elsewhere.

We have previously examined Qatari mediation in various contexts, including facilitating conflict resolution between the United States and the Taliban, negotiating the return of Ukrainian children from Russia, and brokering ceasefire discussions in Gaza.

As Russia's war in Ukraine recently marked its third anniversary, a new player has emerged in the mediation arena: Saudi Arabia.

In what seems like a rebranding of its global role, the kingdom now finds itself at the centre of an attempted ceasefire and peace deal involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States, an agreement with significant implications for European security.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) to discuss Saudi Arabia’s role in mediating the release of prisoners and the return of deported children. In fact, since January alone, the Kingdom has hosted multiple bilateral and multilateral meetings, solidifying its position as an unexpected yet increasingly influential mediator.

But is this really a surprise? Earlier this year, President Donald Trump suggested asking the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to lower oil prices in order to bring an immediate end to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As the de facto leader of OPEC, Saudi Arabia’s involvement as a mediator makes perfect sense. It’s not just strategic, but almost inevitable.

It is fascinating to observe how the Middle East is stepping into roles that would have seemed unlikely just a decade or two ago. Despite the political ideologies often associated with, and at times weaponised against the region, major global powers are now engaging with Saudi Arabia as a credible, neutral mediator.

Once considered a geopolitical outsider, the Kingdom is now playing a pivotal role in high-stakes diplomacy.

The Kingdom nation stands at a critical juncture, while pushing forward with its Vision 2030 agenda, it also finds itself navigating between developing and developed nations, much like a diplomatic middleweight exercising its newfound power on the global stage.

With Trump challenging the existing world order, Saudi Arabia is likely to continue leveraging its growing influence wherever possible. The Kingdom already appears to be positioning itself for a new diplomatic role, signalling openness to mediating between a future Trump administration and Iran in pursuit of an agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear program.

Given Saudi Arabia’s historically tense relationship with Iran, this would mark a significant shift. The challenge for the Kingdom lies in balancing its own complex ties, or lack thereof, with Tehran while managing broader geopolitical tensions among its allies and adversaries. Moreover, Saudi Arabia is not just a US ally but an ally of Trump himself, a relationship highlighted by Trump making MBS the recipient of his first phone call with a foreign leader after taking office. If Saudi Arabia takes on this mediation role, it will be interesting to see how it navigates its existing alliances while striving to establish itself as a credible and neutral broker.

As Saudi Arabia continues to solidify its role in international mediation, the implications for the Middle East are becoming increasingly clear. Rather than simply expanding its influence, this status reinforces Riyadh’s position as the region’s dominant power, especially as other Middle Eastern nations also seek a foothold in the mediation arena. In a time of regional uncertainty, consolidating this role could further cement Saudi Arabia’s influence over key geopolitical dynamics and security arrangements.

We are witnessing the emergence of a distinct Arab approach to diplomacy, as have seen with Qatar and the UAE, one that feels increasingly necessary as the West struggles with internal divisions over foreign policy, the rise of Chinese dominance and subsequently Saudi’s close relationship with China, and escalating tensions between Moscow and Europe.

As global power dynamics remain in flux, it is no surprise new players are stepping in to broker peace. Saudi Arabia has played the long game in cultivating its alliance with the US, and now, as it rebrands itself as a key negotiator, the results of that strategy are beginning to take shape.