Saudi Arabia and Qatar Lead Global Peace Negotiations
The Gulf states, long recognized for their mediation roles, are facilitating diplomatic efforts to address the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, positioning themselves as key international players
[Manama] Saudi Arabia and Qatar are currently hosting critical diplomatic negotiations aimed at resolving two of the world’s most devastating conflicts. Saudi Arabia is facilitating talks in Jeddah between the United States, Ukraine, and Russia to address the ongoing war in Ukraine, while Qatar is hosting negotiations in Doha between Israel and Hamas to discuss a continuation of the truce and the possibility of a long-term agreement.
Both Gulf states maintain strong relations with the US, with particular ties to President Donald Trump. However, their diplomatic history has not been without tension. In June 2017, Saudi Arabia, along with other Gulf nations, severed ties with Qatar, citing Doha’s alleged support for extremist groups. This crisis persisted until the signing of the Al-Ula Agreement in January 2021, just before President Trump left office.
A Complex Gulf Rivalry
Saudi Arabia and Qatar share membership in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), along with the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. They are also members of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Despite these commonalities, their foreign policies diverge sharply, particularly on security issues and regional conflicts.
Their rivalry extends to Syria, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Egypt, Tunisia, and Lebanon, where Qatar has historically supported groups linked to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia has strongly opposed such support, viewing it as backing for terrorism. This issue was one of the key reasons for the 2017 diplomatic crisis, during which Saudi Arabia issued 13 demands to Qatar as conditions for restoring ties—one of which was halting support for these groups, a demand that was never fully met.
While both countries support Palestinian rights, they differ in their approach to Hamas. Saudi Arabia views the Palestinian Authority as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people and opposes Hamas’ role, whereas Qatar believes Hamas should continue to exist as a political and military force.
In the Ukraine-Russia war, however, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have taken similar stances. Both nations maintain balanced relationships with Moscow and Kyiv and have previously proposed mediation efforts to both sides.
A History of Mediation
Qatar has built a strong reputation for mediating between the US and armed groups. It played a key role in hosting negotiations between the US and the Taliban, culminating in an agreement that led to the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan. Doha also hosts offices for the Taliban, Hamas, and the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as maintaining close ties with Iran and housing Hamas’ political chief, Khaled Mashal. As a result, Qatar wields significant influence over Hamas and often acts as a key intermediary in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
Saudi Arabia has also hosted numerous diplomatic efforts in the past, including the Taif Agreement in 1989, which ended Lebanon’s civil war. It has facilitated discussions between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, as well as negotiations involving Yemen and Sudan. More recently, it has worked to establish itself as a global mediator, leveraging its leadership in OPEC+ to influence oil prices. In 2020, it responded to President Trump’s request to increase oil production to stabilize prices.
Expert Perspectives on Gulf Mediation
Observers believe that negotiations in both Gulf nations have the potential to make progress. Doha’s close relationship with Hamas, Riyadh’s ties to the Trump administration, and its cooperative stance toward Russia position both countries as key diplomatic players.
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Saudi Arabia has always played the role of mediator successfully in all negotiations, and this is derived from its balanced policy with all parties, and it does not have any hidden agenda behind these negotiations
Hassan Barqi, a former Saudi diplomat, told The Media Line: “Saudi Arabia has always played the role of mediator successfully in all negotiations, and this is derived from its balanced policy with all parties, and it does not have any hidden agenda behind these negotiations.”
Barqi noted that Saudi Arabia is unlikely to host direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. “It is certainly unlikely that Saudi Arabia will host negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis, as it does not have any relations with Israel, so it is difficult for it to be a mediator in this war. But it certainly has a vision that the US administration respects, and it can be communicated through negotiations in Doha.”
The Gulf states work as one entity, and although they differ on some issues, they generally agree on their foreign policy
He also emphasized Gulf unity in diplomatic efforts: “The Gulf states work as one entity, and although they differ on some issues, they generally agree on their foreign policy. So the existence of negotiations in any Gulf state means that all the other Gulf states are working to make these negotiations successful. There is no competition between these states, but rather integration in order to reach peace and permanent solutions.”
Alexei Skosyrev, the Russian ambassador to Bahrain, told Bahraini media: “Saudi Arabia is playing an excellent role in the negotiations, and it has a great international standing.”
Ahmed Shawqi, a former Iraqi diplomat, expressed support for Saudi Arabia as a mediator in the Ukraine war. “Saudi Arabia is definitely a good choice for negotiations between America, Russia, and Ukraine, as it has good relations with US President Donald Trump, and there is a great intersection of interests between the two parties,” he told The Media Line.
Shawqi added: “Certainly, the European capitals that have previously hosted similar peace negotiations will not be suitable this time to host negotiations with Russia, as they have a hostile stance toward Moscow and are parties to this conflict. China also has major problems with America and will not be a potential venue for negotiations, while Saudi Arabia has good relations with both parties and is actually halfway between the two countries.”
He also acknowledged Qatar’s role: “Doha is also a good venue for negotiations between the Palestinians and Hamas, as it has a good relationship with Hamas, and it has previously hosted Israeli officials. It can be a good mediator and put pressure on the movement.”
Hussein Al-Gharib, a former professor of international studies at Istanbul University, told The Media Line: “Riyadh has continued to consolidate its strategic partnership with the United States, but in recent years it has worked to diversify its regional and international options, giving it greater ability to be flexible and pragmatic according to the circumstances and challenges imposed by the international arena.”
“Saudi Arabia will also try to ease tensions between the Trump administration and Iran, and so it will be the party that Trump relies on in international mediation,” he added.
Mohammad Zein Al-Abidin, a Jordanian political analyst, told The Media Line: “Saudi Arabia can play the role of mediator, and Doha can mediate with armed groups, as it has played this role before.”
He also observed that while Saudi Arabia and Qatar may appear to compete diplomatically, both nations ultimately seek to enhance their global influence. “There is competition between the two countries to play the role of mediator, to obtain political gains, and for the two countries to be major players in the world. This competition will continue between them.”
A Gulf Strategy for Global Mediation
Saudi political analyst Mohammed Al-Assas told The Media Line he believes that the Gulf states share a common diplomatic ambition. “All Gulf states agree that they should have a greater role in the region and the world. The Gulf states are stable and have strong and balanced relations with everyone. Let’s not forget that each state played a role in an international crisis.”
Saudi Arabia now has a good opportunity with the administration of President Donald Trump. It is close to him, and it can have greater influence
He noted Saudi Arabia’s strategic advantage under the Trump administration. “Saudi Arabia now has a good opportunity with the administration of President Donald Trump. It is close to him, and it can have greater influence. Perhaps Trump has given it this opportunity to be a mediator in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in order to obtain greater prizes later, such as a possible Saudi-Israeli peace agreement if a Palestinian state is established, or other major economic agreements.”
He also highlighted Qatar’s role: “As for Qatar, it is the one hosting the leaders of the Hamas movement, and it is logical for negotiations with Hamas to take place on its soil.”
Al-Assas concluded: “Saudi Arabia has succeeded in promoting its strategy as a neutral state. It does not have any conflict with any country in the world, and this is clear from the acceptance of all parties to be a mediator in any negotiations.”
