Macron invites Saudi's Crown Prince to Paris talks, aims to influence MBS on Ukraine crisis

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to meet with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as “MBS,” in Paris on Friday. The meeting aims to persuade the de facto leader of the oil-rich kingdom to provide stronger support for Ukraine in its confrontation with the Russian invasion.

“This visit comes less than a year after MBS’s previous visit to the Elysée Palace, highlighting the warm relationship between Paris and Riyadh, which has drawn criticism from human rights activists following the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi”.

“During their lunch at the Elysée Palace, scheduled for 11:15 GMT, Macron is expected to request MBS’s assistance in finding a resolution to the ongoing stalemate in the search for a new president in Lebanon. France has grown increasingly frustrated with the situation, and Macron seeks to enlist Saudi support”.

The crown prince’s stay in France will be extensive, as he is scheduled to attend the Paris summit on the New Global Financing Pact, hosted by Macron on June 22-23. Additionally, on Monday, MBS will participate in an official Saudi reception to promote Riyadh’s bid to host Expo 2030, for which they desire strong French backing.

MBS enjoys a comfortable residence in France, owning the lavish Chateau Louis XIV near Versailles, a modern palace designed to resemble the opulence of French imperial residences.

A French presidential official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that Paris intends to convey the gravity of the Ukraine conflict to MBS and “urge him to help expedite the final outcome of the war, which entails a victory for Ukraine on the ground.” The official added, “We will emphasize the importance of the Ukraine issue and how Saudi Arabia can exert its influence, including on Russia.”

*- Saudi Arabia’s cautious stance -*

Throughout the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Saudi Arabia has maintained a cautious position, refraining from condemning the assault while emphasizing the significance of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

MBS hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Jeddah last month during an Arab League summit, marking Zelensky’s first visit to the Middle East since the invasion began. Zelensky commended Saudi Arabia for supporting Ukraine’s “territorial integrity.”

However, Saudi Arabia also maintains close ties with Russia, particularly through Moscow’s involvement in the expanded OPEC+ format of the oil cartel, which includes ten non-OPEC members.

Macron is likely to encourage MBS to leverage Saudi Arabia’s influence within the Sunni community in Lebanon to break the ongoing political deadlock preventing the election of a new president.

Last month, the French leader appointed his former foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, as his personal envoy for Lebanon, signaling a renewed effort to resolve the political crisis. Le Drian is expected to visit the region soon.

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia and its regional rival Iran are experiencing an unexpected rapprochement, brokered by Beijing, which has garnered significant interest from Western governments attempting to revive the 2015 deal on the Iranian nuclear program.

The French official expressed hope that Saudi Arabia’s normalization with Iran could ease tensions in the region and facilitate the election of a Lebanese president.

*- Lingering impact of the Khashoggi killing -*

Despite MBS’s efforts to promote rapid economic and political reform, the shadow of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder in 2018 continues to haunt the crown prince. Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist, was killed and dismembered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. A UN investigation characterized the killing as an “extrajudicial killing for which Saudi Arabia is responsible.”