U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Saudi Arabia to discuss the pause in aid to Ukraine, meeting with Ukrainian officials to explore potential concessions. While addressing key mineral resources, Rubio stated that the main focus is resolving the aid issue. His discussions involve various Ukrainian leaders, with strong support noted from Britain and France.
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that discussions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, aim to address the pause in U.S. aid to Ukraine. Rubio emphasized the U.S. is eager to learn about potential concessions from Ukraine, expecting that upcoming negotiations will be significant in resolving the aid situation. He noted, “The Ukrainians are already receiving all defensive intelligence information as we speak. I think all the notion of the pause in aid broadly is something I hope we can resolve.”
Rubio remarked that the talks would focus on acquiring a general understanding of feasible concessions from Ukraine rather than detailed territorial discussions. He stressed the necessity for both Russia and Ukraine to undertake challenging actions, recalling that there is no military resolution to the ongoing conflict. Following this, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Rubio in Jeddah, having previously conferred with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Riyadh.
The forthcoming Jeddah meetings will involve Rubio and U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, as they interact with prominent members of the Ukrainian delegation, including Zelenskyy’s chief of staff and defense minister. President Trump has indicated a preference for linking ongoing military assistance to access to Ukraine’s raw materials, particularly critical minerals essential for the U.S. economy and defense.
However, Rubio clarified that discussions concerning the mineral agreement would not dominate the agenda. He explained that while securing a deal regarding Ukraine’s mineral resources is important, Tuesday’s primary discussions will focus on immediate aid and concessions. “It’s an important topic, but it’s not the main topic on the agenda,” Rubio stated. He praised contributions by Britain and France in constructive discussions with Ukraine and noted that there has been no consideration of China’s involvement in postwar efforts in Ukraine.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia underscores a crucial moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations, particularly regarding aid negotiations. The discussions aim to clarify Ukraine’s potential concessions while simultaneously addressing critical mineral resource considerations. As the U.S. navigates aid conditions, cooperation with key allies remains essential to reaching a sustainable resolution to the conflict. The outcomes of these talks will significantly impact future military assistance and diplomatic strategies.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
