US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia for meetings about the Ukraine conflict and regional relations. He will discuss these matters with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, focusing on potential negotiations to resolve the Ukraine crisis. Rubio’s visit also touches on controversial proposals regarding Palestine, with strong resistance from Arab nations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Saudi Arabia as part of his Middle East trip. He is scheduled to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, according to Al-Arabija. This visit marks a critical step in discussing regional and international relations, particularly regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to join Rubio in Saudi Arabia later in the evening for discussions regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Kremlin reported that Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy advisor to President Vladimir Putin, will also participate. The talks aim to prepare for potential negotiations aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict and restoring Russian-American relations.
Rubio plans to engage with Russian officials alongside US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz during the meetings. Notably, representatives from Ukraine and Europe will not be included in these discussions. This exclusion underscores the complexities of international diplomacy amidst rising tensions due to the war.
US-Russia relations have deteriorated sharply in recent years due to the war in Ukraine. Recently, President Donald Trump initiated an unexpected call with President Putin to discuss a possible end to hostilities and proposed negotiations. Rubio and Lavrov have also engaged in phone discussions, reflecting attempts at reconciling relations.
In addition to the Ukraine crisis, Rubio’s discussions may include President Trump’s controversial proposal to resettle Palestinians from Gaza to other countries—an initiative that has faced strong rejection from regional Arab states such as Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Rubio’s itinerary follows his participation in the Munich Security Conference and meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with a subsequent visit planned to the United Arab Emirates.
In summary, Secretary of State Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia is pivotal for US diplomatic relations in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. His meetings with key officials from Russia and Saudi Arabia aim to address various pressing international issues, including the potential for negotiations regarding Ukraine and regional controversies involving Palestine. These discussions occur amid an increasingly tense geopolitical landscape, highlighting the complicated dynamics of modern diplomacy.
Original Source: www.bluewin.ch
