Zelensky's Diplomatic Tour Puts Putin in Isolation

Saudi Arabia invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to the Arab League summit in Jeddah, showcasing the kingdom's global diplomatic ambitions and the clout of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While the meeting did not result in any immediate groundbreaking agreements, Riyadh can take credit for a smooth event in which tensions stemming from the presence of both Assad and Zelensky were papered over, at least for the day. The move is consistent with Riyadh's image of itself as "a diplomatic and potentially economic bridgehead between different global actors."