Sullivan meets Saudi Vice Minister of Defense in Washington

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US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Saudi Vice Minister of Defense Khalid bin Salman in Washington on Tuesday to discuss bilateral cooperation and international issues, the White House revealed in a statement. 

"National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met today [Tuesday] in Washington with Saudi Vice Minister of Defense Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

They underscored the longstanding partnership between our two nations, as exemplified by the US-Saudi Arabia Strategic Joint Planning Committee, which the Vice Minister is co-chairing this week at the Department of Defense," it said.  

"Mr. Sullivan reaffirmed President Biden’s commitment to helping Saudi Arabia defend its territory, and expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s leadership in securing an UN-brokered truce in Yemen.

They also discussed the importance of coordinating efforts to ensure global economic resilience," according to the statement.

Sullivan's meeting with Khalid bin Salman seems part of an attempt to rekindle relationships between Washington and Riyadh, notably after the tense meeting that took place between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the National Security Advisor in September. The prince was furious at Sullivan when he brought up the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Wall Street Journal reported.

At the time, US officials have reported that the relationship between Washington and Riyadh has hit its lowest point, especially after President Biden said Saudi should be treated as a pariah over various human rights issues, including Khashoggi's murder.

Additionally, political rifts have deepened between the two countries in light of the war in Ukraine, according to both US and Saudi officials.