Marco Rubio travels to Saudi Arabia to discuss Ukraine amidst a halt in U.S. support under President Trump. His discussions focus on advancing peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict while engaging with key figures like Zelensky and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump’s administration evaluates aid resumption based on Ukraine’s concessions to Russia.

On Sunday, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio departed for Saudi Arabia to engage in discussions regarding Ukraine amid an ongoing freeze in military and intelligence support instituted by President Donald Trump. Rubio’s itinerary includes participation in the Group of Seven (G7) talks in Canada, marking him as the first significant U.S. official to visit Saudi Arabia since Trump’s recent return to office, where he previously mocked the country’s sovereignty during a trade conflict.

During his three-day visit to Jeddah, Rubio will address strategies to promote President Trump’s objective of concluding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce. In a deviation from the previous administration’s rhetoric, Bruce avoided labeling the crisis explicitly as a “Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is confirmed to attend the discussions in Jeddah, alongside Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy. Rubio departed from Miami at approximately 08:00 PM local time (midnight GMT), poised to engage in pivotal negotiations.

When questioned about the potential for a rapid resolution in Saudi Arabia, Trump expressed optimism, stating, “I think we are going to have a good result in Saudi Arabia… I think Ukraine is going to do well, and I think Russia is going to do well. I hope so.” This comes after Trump previously suspended aid to Ukraine following a fraught meeting with Zelensky at the White House on February 28.

The meeting resulted in Zelensky departing without signing a proposed agreement that would require Ukraine to transfer substantial mineral resources to the United States, something Trump frames as compensation for U.S. financial support. Zelensky has indicated readiness to agree to the deal and communicated this in a conciliatory letter, which Trump presented during his address to Congress.

Keith Kellogg, the U.S. special envoy regarding Russia and Ukraine, indicated support for restoring aid contingent upon Zelensky’s signing of the deal; however, he noted that the final decision rests with Trump. Reports imply that Trump may require more than the minerals deal for a restoration of aid and seeks assurance of Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate with Russia.

Trump remarked that Ukraine has yet to demonstrate a desire for peace, asserting, “Right now they haven’t shown it to the extent that they should… but I think they will be.” Meanwhile, European leaders are actively exploring alternative ways to supplement U.S. aid, particularly considering that Zelensky has stated that U.S. security guarantees are irreplaceable in negotiations with Russia.

Russia has continued its military offensives against Ukraine, targeting critical infrastructure, while Trump has threatened to intensify sanctions on Russia unless it agrees to dialogue. Rubio recently met with his Russian counterpart in Saudi Arabia, signaling a potential thaw in high-level communications and suggesting discussions on future economic collaboration if peace is achieved.

In Jeddah, Rubio is scheduled to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, aiming to bolster diplomatic relations. Moreover, Trump is likely to advocate for Saudi recognition of Israel, an issue complicated by ongoing conflicts in the region. Subsequent to his engagements in Saudi Arabia, Rubio will continue to Quebec for a G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, focusing on U.S. goals related to peace, strategic cooperation, and global stability, despite existing tensions with Canada, which have been downplayed by the administration.

In summary, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia signifies an important step in U.S. diplomatic efforts regarding Ukraine amidst a freeze in support from President Trump. The discussions aim to promote peace in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with significant implications for international relations and regional stability. The meeting highlights the intricacies of U.S. foreign policy as it navigates between aid negotiations and broader geopolitical strategies.

Original Source: www.insidenova.com

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