Saudi Crown Prince’s Visit to US Launches New Chapter in Relations 

US President Donald Trump greets Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, DC on November 18, 2025. (AFP)
US President Donald Trump greets Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, DC on November 18, 2025. (AFP)
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Saudi Crown Prince’s Visit to US Launches New Chapter in Relations 

US President Donald Trump greets Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, DC on November 18, 2025. (AFP)
US President Donald Trump greets Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, DC on November 18, 2025. (AFP)

The visit by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to the United States on Tuesday paved the way for a new "great" chapter in relations between the two allies and consolidated the "unlimited" partnership between them. 

US President Donald Trump received Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House. An official reception ceremony was held for the Crown Prince, whose motorcade was escorted by cavalry upon arrival followed by a review of the honor guard while the military band performed, and 19 artillery rounds were fired in welcome. 

The Crown Prince and Trump witnessed an aerial military display in which a formation of fighter jets flew over Washington in welcome of his arrival. 

Following the reception ceremony, Trump escorted the Crown Prince on a tour of the White House. 

During remarks at the Oval Office, Crown Prince Mohammed revealed that Saudi Arabia will invest up to $1 trillion in the US.  

"I believe, Mr. President, in today and tomorrow, we can announce that we are going to increase that $600 billion to almost $1 trillion for investment, real investment, and real opportunity," he said.  

"Now, you're saying to me now that the $600 billion will be $1 trillion?" Trump said, to which Crown Prince Mohammed replied: "Definitely."  

The Kingdom was not "creating fake opportunities to please America or please Trump," he added. Saudi Arabia has a high demand for computing power and desires US chips. 

Afterwards, the Crown Prince and Trump chaired the Saudi-US summit. 

They reviewed aspects of bilateral relations, discussed joint efforts to boost the Saudi-US strategic partnership across various fields, examined regional and international developments, explored ways to strengthen security and stability regionally and globally, and addressed several other issues of mutual interest. 

Crown Prince Mohammed and Trump signed a strategic defense agreement at the conclusion of the summit. They also signed bilateral agreements and memoranda on strategic partnership for artificial intelligence; a joint statement on completing the negotiations regarding cooperation in civil nuclear energy; a strategic framework for partnership in securing supply chains for uranium, permanent magnets, and critical minerals; and agreement to facilitate procedures for accelerating Saudi investments. 

They also signed financial and economic partnership arrangements for economic prosperity; arrangements related to cooperation in the financial markets; a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of education and training; and letters concerning vehicle safety standards. 

Attending the summit from the Saudi side were Minister of Energy and Chairman of the Saudi side of the Saudi-US Strategic Economic Partnership Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz; Saudi Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz; Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah; Minister of State, Member of the Cabinet, and National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban; Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi; Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan; and Governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) Yasir Alrumayyan. 

From the American side, officials included Vice President JD Vance; Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth; Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent; Secretary of Energy Chris Wright; White House chief of staff Susie Wiles; and special envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff. 



Ukrainian Official Expects Imminent Bilateral Meeting Between Zelenskyy and Trump

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff attend a press conference, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine September 6, 2026. (Reuters)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff attend a press conference, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine September 6, 2026. (Reuters)
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Ukrainian Official Expects Imminent Bilateral Meeting Between Zelenskyy and Trump

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff attend a press conference, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine September 6, 2026. (Reuters)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff attend a press conference, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine September 6, 2026. (Reuters)

A high-ranking Ukrainian source suggested that a bilateral meeting could take place this September between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his US counterpart Donald Trump, as the latter’s special envoys continue their shuttle diplomacy efforts in an attempt to find mutually acceptable solutions to advance diplomacy between Kyiv and Moscow.

Anatolii Petrenko, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, told Asharq Al-Awsat: “We remain in constant contact with the US negotiating team. We are coordinating further steps and preparing next communications.”

“Ukraine’s peace proposals remain constructive. We must continue working actively and jointly with the US and our European partners to keep diplomacy moving forward,” he added.

“We thank President Donald Trump for his personal engagement and efforts to bring an end to this war,” he stressed.

“We believe that the best format moving forward would be a meeting between leaders - President Zelenskyy and Putin - with the possible involvement of President Trump, because the most sensitive issues can only be resolved at the level of leaders,” said the ambassador.

“Such a meeting can take place in any neutral location suitable for both sides. For Ukraine any country except Russia and Belarus is doable. The Ukrainian side is ready for such a meeting without preconditions,” he went on to say.

Anatolii Petrenko, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. (Ukrainian Embassy in Saudi Arabia)

“We are grateful to the United States for the assistance provided and look to continued support for Ukraine’s energy sector and the strengthening of Ukraine’s air and missile defense ahead of a difficult winter amid Russia’s aggression,” Petrenko said.

Moreover, he stated that the Ukrainian-American talks covered all issues on peace efforts and the bilateral agenda, including renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war, security guarantees, prosperity plan, and winter package.

“Such a substantial meeting can already be viewed as a success. It allowed us to work through many details on a really broad agenda,” he added.

“There were three rounds of substantial talks, including with the participation of representatives of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Ukraine welcomes the participation of European representatives, which demonstrates unity and solidarity with Ukraine,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Ukraine also appreciates Saudi Arabia’s “steadfast support for our state’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the humanitarian assistance generously extended to our nation.”

“The principled and balanced position of Saudi Arabia in accordance with international law allows it to play an effective and constructive mediation role to comprehensively advance the efforts aimed at reaching long lasting and just peace,” Petrenko noted.

“We believe that the pace and spirit of bilateral interaction development between Ukraine and Saudi Arabia demonstrates a gradual transformation into the projected framework of political, economic and security cooperation with the initial outlines of a strategic partnership,” he said.

“The momentum we have built will allow us to sustain the upward dynamics and convert the accumulated political capital into joint projects and long-term mechanisms of mutually beneficial cooperation,” he added.


Saudi Arabia at BRICS Summit: Our National Security and Safety of Our Assets Are Non-Negotiable

Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sunday. (SPA)
Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sunday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia at BRICS Summit: Our National Security and Safety of Our Assets Are Non-Negotiable

Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sunday. (SPA)
Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah speaks at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sunday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia stressed on Sunday that its national security, territorial integrity, and capabilities are non-negotiable, and that the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will not accept the targeting of their lands, facilities, or vital interests, under any pretext or designation.

Speaking at the BRICS 2026 Summit in New Delhi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah said: “In light of the current developments in the region, the priority should be to de-escalate tensions and create space for political and diplomatic efforts.”

Delivering a speech on behalf of Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Faisal added that security in the Arabian Gulf “cannot be achieved without respect for the sovereignty and independence of its states, non-interference in their internal affairs, adherence to the principles of good neighborliness, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.”

“The security of the Kingdom, integrity of its territory, and protection of its national assets are non-negotiable, and GCC states will not accept any targeting of their territories, facilities, or vital interests, regardless of the pretexts or justifications invoked,” he declared.

He underscored the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and the safety of commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and other maritime corridors, stating that “any disruption to these routes would have repercussions for global markets, supply chains, and economic growth.”

Prince Faisal highlighted the purposes for which international institutions were established and the urgent need to strengthen their capacity to fulfill their responsibilities.

He added that “the credibility of the international system depends on how consistently its rules and laws are applied”, noting that the Kingdom “looks forward to continuing its engagement with BRICS and its partners across the international community.”


Saudi Crown Prince, Pakistani PM Discuss Regional De-escalation, Islamabad Slams Houthi Attacks

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince, Pakistani PM Discuss Regional De-escalation, Islamabad Slams Houthi Attacks

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received on Sunday a phone call from Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, with whom he discussed regional developments and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.

Sharif condemned the Houthi militia's attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, slamming the flagrant violations of Saudi sovereignty and territorial integrity, and reiterating Pakistan's full solidarity with the Kingdom.

He also condemned attacks on Saudi Arabia's vital oil infrastructure. He praised the Kingdom's restraint and its support for Iraqi government efforts to prevent the use of its territory to launch attacks against the Kingdom and neighboring countries.