Secretary of State Marco Rubio has traveled to Saudi Arabia to discuss the Ukraine-Russia conflict as part of a critical diplomatic engagement, coinciding with President Trump’s stance on reinstating military and intelligence support to Ukraine. Ruben’s discussions in Jeddah will involve key figures including Ukrainian President Zelensky and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, focusing on avenues to stabilize relations and address ongoing tensions.
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio embarked on a diplomatic mission to Saudi Arabia, seeking to discuss the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. This visit marks Rubio as the first significant US official to travel to the region following President Donald Trump’s return to office, a period which has been marked by strained relations between the countries. Over three days in Jeddah, Rubio intends to focus on initiatives that may help in achieving President Trump’s objective to conclude the Russia-Ukraine war, as indicated by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also anticipated to attend the talks in Jeddah, along with Steve Witkoff, a confidant and envoy of Trump. During a journey that began from Miami, Rubio departed from Homestead Air Base local time at 08:00 pm (midnight GMT). Trump’s comments requested optimism regarding outcomes from this meeting, asserting, “I think we’re going to have a good result in Saudi Arabia… I think Ukraine’s going to do well, and I think Russia is going to do well.”
The situation remains critical, as Trump previously suspended aid to Ukraine following a contentious meeting with Zelensky, criticizing him for what was perceived as ingratitude concerning previous US military support. Trump’s expectation is that Zelensky must sign an agreement permitting the transfer of Ukraine’s mineral wealth to the United States, purportedly to offset taxpayer funds utilized in assisting Ukraine under former President Biden.
Zelensky has since expressed willingness to sign the minerals deal, backed by a conciliatory letter addressed to Trump that was read during an assembly in Congress. Keith Kellogg, a US envoy, confirmed that resuming US assistance would be contingent upon Zelensky signing this agreement, although the final decision lies solely with Trump.
There are concerns regarding whether Zelensky has demonstrated a commitment toward peace, as Trump asserted on Sunday, holistically suggesting that the Ukrainian leadership should exhibit readiness to negotiate with Russia. Meanwhile, European nations are scrambling to compensate for the vacated US aid, although Zelensky maintains that no alternative matches the security guarantees Washington provides.
Moreover, Rubio has previously engaged with his Russian counterpart in Saudi Arabia, hinting at potential future economic cooperation post-conflict. A critical aspect of his visit will include discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, while Trump aims to advocate for Saudi recognition of Israel amidst ongoing negotiations in the region, highlighted by Witkoff’s travels.
Finally, after concluding in Saudi Arabia, Rubio will proceed to Quebec for the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, with plans to promote US interests regarding peace, security, and global stability.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s diplomatic trip to Saudi Arabia aims to facilitate discussions surrounding the Ukraine-Russia conflict, in light of President Trump’s recent suspension of military aid. With key players like President Zelensky and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman involved, the dialogue may yield significant outcomes in terms of peace negotiations and international relations. Trump’s emphasis on Ukraine needing to show a preference for peace further underscores the complexity of the current geopolitical climate, making the upcoming talks particularly crucial for future collaborations and commitments.
Original Source: www.insidenova.com
