The U.S. President receives a royal welcome upon arrival in Riyadh, highlighting Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in international diplomacy.
Donald Trump, the President of the United States, arrived in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, for a significant diplomatic visit on Tuesday.
Trump was greeted with a royal reception as he disembarked from Air Force One.
The welcoming ceremony included a personal greeting from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with the two leaders shaking hands and proceeding down a red carpet, flanked by high-ranking Saudi officials who briefly engaged in conversation with them before entering the airport terminal.
Inside the airport, Trump and the Crown Prince settled into plush purple armchairs, adorned with gold trim, as portraits of members of the Saudi royal family decorated the walls behind them.
Notably, several U.S. officials accompanied Trump during this visit, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.
This trip marks Trump’s first major diplomatic mission in his second presidential term, following the funeral of
Pope Francis.
The choice of Riyadh underscores the U.S. president's intention to bolster Saudi Arabia’s role on the international stage.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has emerged as a crucial ally for Trump, especially with regard to diplomatic efforts surrounding the resolution of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, with discussions being held in Riyadh.
Following his engagements in Saudi Arabia, Trump is scheduled to visit Qatar and the United Arab Emirates later this week.