Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, visited Saudi Arabia for talks with Russian officials focused on the Ukraine war. He aims to discuss a controversial proposal from President Trump about resettling Gaza’s Palestinian residents. Discussions could pave the way for a Trump-Putin meeting as Ukraine’s leader also visits the region.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday to engage in discussions with Russian officials regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has lasted nearly three years. His visit comes after President Donald Trump’s recent communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin, instructing officials to initiate negotiations for peace. Rubio’s talks will benefit from Riyadh’s involvement, which has also played a role in previous U.S.-Russia engagements.
In addition to the Ukraine discussions, Rubio is set to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) to address Trump’s contentious proposal regarding the resettlement of Palestinian residents from Gaza in other Arab nations. This proposal has garnered significant backlash among Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, which are discussing alternative solutions. MbS has reiterated that Saudi Arabia will not normalize relations with Israel without a pathway to Palestinian statehood.
The upcoming discussions in Riyadh between U.S. and Russian officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and White House Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, represent some of the first high-level talks in years. According to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, the talks are scheduled for Tuesday, and while the specific Russian officials attending have not been disclosed, these discussions could set the stage for a future meeting between Trump and Putin.
Simultaneously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is touring the region, planning to visit both Saudi Arabia and Turkey; however, Ukraine is not expected to participate in the discussions between the U.S. and Russia. Prior to heading to Saudi Arabia, Rubio met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirming U.S. support for Israel against Iran.
Marco Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia underscores significant diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Russia concerning the Ukraine conflict, alongside discussions of complex Middle Eastern issues, particularly regarding Palestinian resettlement. The outcome of these talks could have wider implications for U.S.-Russia relations and future peace efforts in the region.
Original Source: en.royanews.tv
