US-Saudi ties in focus as Trump, Crown Prince MBS hold talks in Riyadh PHOTO

US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) held high-level talks at al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on May 13, following an official welcome ceremony marking the start of Trump's four-days tour of the Gulf region.

The US presidential plane was escorted by Saudi F-15 fighter jets as it approached King Khalid International Airport earlier in the day. Upon landing, Trump was greeted by Crown Prince Mohammed on a ceremonial lavender carpet, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media. 

The two leaders proceeded to al-Yamamah Palace, where Trump was officially welcomed before both sides introduced their respective delegations. President Trump met with senior Saudi officials, while Crown Prince Mohammed met with high-level American officials, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman — both of whom were introduced by Trump during the palace meeting.

Formal talks between the two leaders began shortly afterward.

Following the palace discussions, Trump and MBS are expected to attend the Saudi-US Investment Forum, which had kicked off earlier in the day and brings together key government and business leaders to promote bilateral cooperation and investment.

According to White House officials, the focus of the trip is to boost trade and investment ties with Gulf nations, even as crises in the region remain unresolved. The Trump administration is also proposing a new aid mechanism for Gaza and has renewed calls for a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

In a potential diplomatic turn, Trump has said he may travel to Türkiye on May 15 for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aimed at advancing peace efforts in the Ukraine conflict.

By Sabina Mammadli