The kingdom’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was once shunned in diplomatic circles. Now he is playing an important role in negotiations over Gaza and Ukraine.

Saudi Arabia's crown prince wasn't in the room for the first high-level talks between Russia and the United States over Moscow's war on Ukraine on Tuesday, but Mohammed bin Salman still won the day for hosting the gathering that could be a game-changer in the bloody conflict.

As President Donald Trump presses ahead with his attempt to end the war in Ukraine, he is leaning on an old ally: Saudi Arabia’s powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose success in mediating an end to the conflict could deepen his already warm ties to the new American president.

Marco Rubio’s visit to Riyadh, his first as secretary of state, came amid uncertainty about the future of Gaza and Ukraine and criticism of unilateral U.S. moves over the wars in both places.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed plans for Gaza during a meeting on Monday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said. Rubio is visiting the Middle East after President Donald Trump infuriated the Arab world with a proposal for the Palestinian residents of the war-torn strip to be resettled in other Arab nations and for the U.

Saudi Arabia’s hosting of top American and Russian officials for a high-stakes rapprochement meeting underlines the kingdom’s aspirations to become a global actor capable of successfully mediating international conflicts.

Marco Rubio departed Riyadh for Abu Dhabi on February 19, as part of his first trip to the Middle East as U.S. Secretary of State. Rubio held initial talks with Russian officials aimed at ending Moscow's nearly three-year war in Ukraine.

In a high-stakes meeting, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) discuss President Trump’s controversial proposal for resettling Palestinian residents of Gaza into other Arab nations.

Israel has expressed its commitment to a US proposal to take over Gaza and displace the Palestinian residents as Washington's top diplomat holds talks in Saudi Arabia on the future of Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he is committed to US President Donald Trump's plan for the creation of a different Gaza,

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday to discuss plans for Gaza, emphasizing regional security and stability. Rubios Middle East visit follows President Donald