The Russia-Ukraine war, now in its third year, has profoundly affected global geopolitics. Despite numerous mediation efforts, Gulf Arab states and Turkey have emerged as key players in navigating the crisis and acting as relatively neutral mediators.

Saudi Arabia on Feb. 18 hosted Russian and US officials for talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The four-and-a-half-hour meeting marked the most extensive dialogue between the two sides since the conflict began in 2022. While...