US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting Saudi Arabia to discuss Ukraine amid a freeze in military support from President Trump. Rubio will engage in talks to advance peace efforts and will attend G7 meetings in Canada post-discussion. The visit signals crucial negotiations regarding Ukraine’s future and potential concessions to Russia.
On Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio departed for Saudi Arabia to hold discussions concerning Ukraine, particularly regarding military and intelligence support that President Donald Trump has suspended. Following these conversations, Rubio is scheduled to attend the Group of Seven (G7) talks in Canada, marking his first visit since Trump reassumed office amid rising tensions between the US and Ukraine.
During his three-day visit to Jeddah, Rubio’s agenda will focus on advancing the President’s objective of concluding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, as indicated by State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, who refrained from describing the situation as a “Russian invasion of Ukraine”. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to attend these discussions alongside Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff. Rubio departed from Miami’s Homestead Air Base around 08:00 PM local time.
President Trump expressed optimism regarding the discussions in Saudi Arabia, stating, “I think we’re going to have a good result… we have a lot of good people going out there.” He asserted, “I think some very big things could happen this week. I hope so.” His administration had previously suspended aid to Ukraine following a controversial meeting with Zelensky, who left without signing a deal for Ukraine’s mineral wealth, which Trump argued would reimburse US taxpayers.
Reports suggest that Zelensky is now prepared to sign off on the minerals deal and has communicated a conciliatory letter to Trump. US special envoy Keith Kellogg confirmed support for resuming aid, contingent upon the agreement’s signing, emphasizing that the final decision rests with Trump. Trump noted he does not believe Ukraine has yet demonstrated a desire for peace, stating, “Right now they haven’t shown it to the extent that they should.”
European leaders are actively exploring alternative support mechanisms for Ukraine amidst the aid freeze, but Zelensky has maintained that US security guarantees remain irreplaceable in any deal with Russia. As the war continues, Russia remains aggressive in its military actions against Ukraine, targeting its energy infrastructure. Trump has additionally threatened to impose stricter sanctions on Russia if it does not engage in negotiations.
Rubio has recently engaged with his Russian counterpart, breaking a long-standing freeze on communications and discussing potential economic cooperation post-conflict. His meetings in Saudi Arabia also include a session with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where discussions will likely center on Saudi Arabia’s potential recognition of Israel, a complicated issue given ongoing conflicts in Gaza. Following his visit to Saudi Arabia, Rubio will participate in meetings with G7 foreign ministers during which he aims to promote US interests in peace, security, and global stability.
In summary, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia highlights significant diplomatic efforts concerning Ukraine as the US navigates military support and international relations amidst ongoing conflicts. President Trump’s administration remains firm on assessing Ukraine’s willingness to pursue peace, while European leaders seek alternatives to U.S. aid. The outcomes of these discussions will be critical in shaping future US-Ukraine relations and broader geopolitical dynamics.
Original Source: www.insidenova.com
