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Saudi Crown Prince Heads Kingdom’s Delegation at 45th GCC Supreme Council Session

A group photo was taken of the leaders and heads of delegations participating in the 45th GCC Supreme Council Session - SPA
A group photo was taken of the leaders and heads of delegations participating in the 45th GCC Supreme Council Session - SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince Heads Kingdom’s Delegation at 45th GCC Supreme Council Session

A group photo was taken of the leaders and heads of delegations participating in the 45th GCC Supreme Council Session - SPA
A group photo was taken of the leaders and heads of delegations participating in the 45th GCC Supreme Council Session - SPA

The 45th session of the Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) kicked off Sunday in Kuwait.
Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud led the Kingdom's delegation.
During the session, Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, chairman of the current GCC Supreme Council session, delivered a speech emphasizing the significance of the GCC's joint efforts and addressing recent regional and global developments.
GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi also addressed the summit, expressing gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting the two sessions of the Joint Arab Islamic Extraordinary Summit. He highlighted the importance of implementing a two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state, SPA reported.
The leaders and heads of delegations then participated in a closed session.
The Saudi delegation included Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State and Cabinet Member Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Minister of State, Cabinet Member, and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban, Minister of Finance Mohammed Al-Jadaan, and Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser.

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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Hosting US-Ukraine Meeting Next Week

Saudi Crown Prince receiving Ukrainian President in June (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince receiving Ukrainian President in June (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Hosting US-Ukraine Meeting Next Week

Saudi Crown Prince receiving Ukrainian President in June (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince receiving Ukrainian President in June (SPA)

Saudi Arabia welcomed on Friday plans to host a scheduled meeting between the US and Ukraine in Jeddah next week.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry reaffirmed the kingdom’s commitment to efforts aimed at achieving a lasting peace to end the Ukraine crisis. It said Riyadh has pursued these efforts over the past three years by hosting several meetings on the issue.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steven Witkoff, said on Thursday he would hold talks with a Ukrainian delegation on a framework for a peace deal to end the war, adding that a meeting with Ukrainian officials was planned in Saudi Arabia next week.

Later on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced plans to visit Saudi Arabia on Monday. He said a team of Ukrainian negotiators would remain in the kingdom to work with US partners after his departure from Riyadh.

US news website Axios reported on Thursday that senior US and Ukrainian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia next Wednesday to discuss efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

The report, citing two sources familiar with the matter, said Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were expected to attend the talks.

Asharq Al-Awsat spoke with researchers from Saudi Arabia and the US about the implications of these announcements, particularly in light of recent developments between Washington and Kyiv.

Experts highlighted how Saudi Arabia’s success in mediating and facilitating talks between the US and Russia has created an opportunity for another mediation effort between Washington and Kyiv.

Brian Katulis, vice president for policy at the Middle East Institute in Washington, told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia has previously hosted talks between Sudanese factions due to Sudan’s direct impact on its interests.

He noted that Riyadh’s role in facilitating discussions between the United States and Russia over the Ukraine war reflects its growing position as a mediator.

By bringing together opposing sides, including those engaged in direct or indirect conflicts, Saudi Arabia has strengthened its influence on the global stage.

Zelenskiy’s visit to Saudi Arabia appears to be a strategic move to regain diplomatic momentum following the suspension of US aid and to leverage Riyadh’s influence in facilitating peace talks, said Hisham Al-Ghannam, a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and head of the National Security Program at Naif University for Security Sciences.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Ghannam described Zelenskiy’s decision as a significant diplomatic step amid rising tensions and shifting global dynamics in the Russia-Ukraine war.

He noted that the visit comes after a turbulent period in US-Ukraine relations, particularly following last week’s heated exchange between Trump and Zelenskiy in the Oval Office, which led Washington to suspend military aid and intelligence-sharing with Kyiv.

“All roads lead to Riyadh” is more than just a phrase, said Saudi international relations researcher Salman Al-Ansari.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he stressed that Saudi Arabia's diplomatic efforts are serious and genuine in contributing to global security.

He added that the international community’s trust in Riyadh is the result of its consistent and strategic engagement on the world stage.