The signing of a mutual defence pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan is “one of the more important developments of this war”, a former US ambassador has told CNN, saying it signals a loss of faith in US security guarantees in the region.

Speaking to CNN’s Elex Michaelson, Christopher Hill pointed out that all three signatories are US allies.

“They all believe that the US is just not going to be there for them and it’s time to step up some regional efforts,” said Hill, a former assistant secretary of state and five-time US ambassador, most recently serving as Washington’s envoy to Serbia.

And the pact sheds light on the “degree to which the rest of the world is getting worried about how the US manages its interests and its issues”, he added.

“You do not see any fingerprints from the US on this,” Hill said.