U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to discuss resuming aid to Ukraine. He emphasized understanding Ukraine’s concessions and maintaining momentum in diplomatic talks. Key delegates include Ukrainian officials and Saudi leadership, indicating a strong collaborative effort to achieve a resolution amid ongoing conflict, with resources mentioned as secondary. Rubio’s visit underscores U.S. commitment to addressing the situation while coordinating with international partners.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is currently in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for discussions with Ukrainian officials regarding the resumption of U.S. aid to Ukraine. During a briefing, Rubio stated that the U.S. is in a proactive listening mode to gauge what concessions Ukraine might offer to facilitate discussions. He emphasized the ongoing provision of defensive intelligence to Ukraine and expressed hope for resolving the aid pause swiftly, citing the upcoming talks as pivotal.
Rubio clarified that the approach in Jeddah will focus on understanding potential concessions from Ukraine rather than negotiating specific military actions. He highlighted that achieving peace requires difficult decisions from both Russia and Ukraine. Earlier, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) had discussions with both Rubio and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, strengthening diplomatic efforts in the region.
Significantly, the Ukrainian delegation at the talks includes key figures: Andriy Yermak, Andrii Sybiha, Rustem Umerov, and military commander Pavlo Palisa. Zelenskyy underscored the importance of diplomacy to support military strength for a lasting peace, indicating a dual approach to conflict resolution.
There has been speculation surrounding the potential linkage of military aid to access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, vital for the U.S. economy. However, Rubio confirmed this was not the central focus of discussions, noting that while mineral resources are of significance, the primary agenda for the talks does not include finalizing any such agreements. He acknowledged support from Britain and France in these diplomatic endeavors and confirmed that there have been no talks involving China in post-conflict reconstruction.
This trip marks Rubio’s second visit to Saudi Arabia since taking office. Previously, he engaged with Russian officials in February and will continue his diplomatic efforts in Canada for meetings with G7 foreign ministers after his itinerary in Saudi Arabia.
In summary, Marco Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia centers on addressing the aid pause for Ukraine through understanding Ukraine’s potential concessions. Key diplomatic figures from both countries are involved, emphasizing a collaborative approach to resolve the ongoing conflict. Although discussions about mineral resources exist, the primary focus remains on diplomatic solutions underpinned by military strength, reflecting a nuanced strategy for peace.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
