Marco Rubio arrives in Saudi Arabia for negotiations with Russian officials regarding the Ukraine war. These talks follow Trump’s outreach to Putin and will address not only the conflict in Ukraine but also regional issues relating to Gaza and the Palestinian crisis. Key meetings with Saudi and Israeli leaders are also expected to shape the outcomes of this diplomatic mission.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Saudi Arabia to engage in talks with Russian officials aimed at bringing an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. These discussions follow a phone conversation between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Trump emphasized his commitment to resolving the conflict, a central theme during his campaign.
Saudi Arabia is also mediating discussions with the U.S. regarding Gaza and has facilitated early communications between the Trump administration and Moscow, including a recent prisoner swap. Rubio is expected to meet top Russian figures along with U.S. national security adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Reportedly, the in-person discussions on Tuesday in Riyadh could be pivotal, setting the stage for a future meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents. Rubio noted that the upcoming days will reveal Putin’s true intentions for peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, currently in the UAE, plans to visit Saudi Arabia and Turkey but is not expected to meet with Russian or U.S. representatives. Ukraine has not been invited to the Saudi-mediated talks.
In addition, Rubio is scheduled to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) to discuss Trump’s controversial proposal for resettling Gaza’s Palestinian residents in other Arab countries. This proposal has angered many in the Arab world and fueled Palestinian fears of displacement.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with over 48,000 Palestinians reported killed during the recent escalation. Saudi Arabia opposes the resettlement plan and is leading efforts to propose an alternative, which may include a reconstruction fund to support Gaza and a strategy to address Hamas’s role in the region.
Rubio’s tour also included a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, where he reiterated U.S. support for Israel amidst its tensions with Iran.
The arrival of Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Saudi Arabia marks a critical step in U.S.-Russia discussions aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine. With ongoing tensions in Gaza, these diplomatic efforts are significant as they address complex regional issues involving Palestinian rights and normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The effectiveness of these talks will depend heavily on whether substantial peace initiatives emerge from the dialogue.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
