Year-End Review: Saudi Arabia’s Rise as Regional Stabilizer & Global Mediator in 2025
Throughout 2025, Saudi Arabia has cemented its status as a beacon for regional stability, playing a pivotal role in resolving crises and settling conflicts in the Middle East and the world.
From the Russia-Ukraine conflict to the war in Sudan, Riyadh’s diplomatic acumen has proved not only effective but indispensable to the international peacemaking architecture.
Below is a preview of key milestones in Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global peacemaker throughout 2025:
Russia-Ukraine Talks
Owing to its policy of “positive neutrality” on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its experience in conflict mediation, Saudi Arabia was the perfect host for ceasefire negotiations between officials from Russia, Ukraine and the US.
In February and March 2025, the Kingdom hosted a series of talks involving US and Russian officials, and US and Ukrainian officials in Riyadh and Jeddah.
These talks culminated in agreements to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea and ban strikes on energy facilities of both Russia and Ukraine. The parties also reached a framework for accelerating the exchange of prisoners of war.
Although a comprehensive ceasefire deal has remained elusive, the Saudi-hosted talks paved the way for further negotiations to end the war, with the latest currently taking place in Miami to discuss a US-proposed peace plan.
Re-engaging Syria
One of the key diplomatic wins in 2025 is ending Syria’s regional and global isolation after the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime in December 2024.
In January 2025, Saudi Arabia hosted Arab and western diplomats in the Riyadh Meetings on Syria to coordinate efforts to support the Syrian people, lift sanctions and rebuild Syria as a unified and independent Arab State that is secure for all its citizens.
A month later, the Transitional Syrian President, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, arrived in Riyadh in his first foreign trip since assuming office. Al-Sharaa met with the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, exploring ways to strengthen bilateral relations and support the Syria’s security and stability.
Moreover, the Kingdom spearheaded a push to lift sanctions on Syria. This robust diplomatic effort led to a historic announcement by the US President, Donald Trump, who used his visit to Riyadh in May 2025 to declare the lifting of all US sanctions on Syria at the request of the Saudi Crown Prince.
The landmark decision was followed by a trilateral meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump and Al-Sharaa in Riyadh, during which they discussed the future of Syria.
Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic support for Syria soon translated into immediate economic relief. In July 2024, Damascus hosted the Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum, signing deals worth of SAR 24 billion ($6.4bn) to support Syria’s economic recovery and reconstruction.
The Kingdom also supported Syria’s energy sector, providing critical oil grants and technical expertise to restore the Syrian power grid.
Advocating Palestinian State
As the leader of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, Saudi Arabia leveraged its diplomatic weight throughout 2025 to mobilize international support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State.
These efforts culminated in the July 2025 New York Conference, where Riyadh and Paris co-authored a landmark declaration charting an irreversible path to statehood.
The Kingdom’s strategic persistence bore historic fruit in September 2025, triggering a wave of recognitions from major Western powers – including the UK, France, Australia, Canada and Portugal – and firmly establishing Riyadh as the indispensable architect of a future Palestinian state based on the two-state solution.
Peace in Sudan
Although Saudi Arabia has been an active player in peace negotiations to end the conflict in Sudan by leading the Jeddah Process, reports of atrocities in the war-torn country, particularly after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized El-Fasher city, have prompted urgent action from Riyadh.
In September 2025, Saudi Arabia, the US, Egypt and the UAE – members of the Quad group – proposed a roadmap for peace in Sudan, involving a three-month humanitarian truce, followed by a permanent ceasefire and a transition to civilian-led governance.
During a visit to Washington in November 2025, Trump announced the US would work to end the conflict in Sudan, at the request of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
In December 2025, the Saudi Crown Prince received the Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council and the Commander of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, in Riyadh.
During their meeting, they discussed the latest developments in Sudan and efforts to achieve security and stability in the country. After the meeting, Al-Burhan expressed readiness to work with Trump to resolve the conflict.
