U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Jeddah for talks with Ukrainian officials to address the pause in U.S. aid. He aims to understand potential concessions from Ukraine without prioritizing a mineral deal. The discussions highlight the necessity of diplomacy alongside military strength for lasting peace in Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed that the United States aims to address the suspension of aid to Ukraine during discussions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with Ukrainian officials. He noted that the focus would be primarily on understanding potential concessions from Ukraine, emphasizing, “We’re not going to be sitting in a room drawing lines on a map but just get a general sense of what concessions are in the realm of the possible for them.” He asserted that both parties must undertake challenging actions to forge a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
On the same day, in Jeddah, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) met with Rubio following his earlier discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Riyadh. The upcoming talks on Tuesday will include Rubio and U.S. national security adviser Mike Waltz, alongside a delegate from Ukraine featuring high-ranking officials such as Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov. Zelenskyy remarked that “strong positions on the front line and strong diplomacy must work together to achieve a just and lasting peace.”
Moreover, discussions may involve the potential conditionality of U.S. military aid on access to Ukraine’s raw materials, which are vital for the U.S. economy and defense, including uranium and lithium. Rubio clarified, however, that finalizing a deal regarding Ukraine’s mineral resources would not dominate the agenda. He stated, “It’s an important topic, but it’s not the main topic on the agenda. “, indicating a broader scope of discussions is prioritized.
Additionally, Rubio acknowledged the constructive roles of Britain and France in the dialogue with Ukraine, while dismissing the notion of involving China in peacekeeping or reconstruction in postwar Ukraine. This visit marks Rubio’s second to Saudi Arabia since taking office, following prior talks with Russian officials in February. Subsequently, he is scheduled for meetings with G7 foreign ministers in Canada.
In summary, Secretary Rubio’s visit to Jeddah emphasizes the U.S. commitment to resolving the pause in aid to Ukraine while exploring potential concessions from Ukrainian leadership. Despite discussions on Ukraine’s mineral resources being pertinent, they are not the primary focus of the meeting. Diplomatic efforts are critical, as noted by both Rubio and Zelenskyy, to achieve a sustainable peace amidst ongoing conflicts. The involvement of allies such as Britain and France further underscores the international dimension of these negotiations.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
