Rubio Engages with Ukraine Officials in Saudi Arabia to Discuss Aid and Diplomacy
During a visit to Saudi Arabia, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio aims to resolve the pause in aid to Ukraine in talks with Ukrainian officials. He emphasizes the importance of concessions and the integration of strong diplomacy with military strategies for lasting peace. Discussions may touch on Ukraine’s mineral resources, though they are not the main focus of the talks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, seeking to address the current pause in U.S. aid to Ukraine during discussions with Ukrainian officials. Rubio expressed that the United States is focused on listening to Ukraine’s position and understanding potential concessions they may offer. He stated, “I think all the notion of the pause in aid broadly is something I hope we can resolve. Obviously, I think what happens tomorrow will be key to that.”
Rubio clarified that the U.S. will not engage in specific territorial negotiations but rather assess what concessions may be viable for Ukraine. He emphasized that a military resolution is unattainable, and both Russia and Ukraine must be willing to undertake challenging decisions.
On the same day, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with Rubio in Jeddah, having held a separate discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prior. Rubio will join U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz for further talks with the Ukrainian delegation, which includes key officials such as Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
The topics of discussion may also encompass Ukraine’s mineral resources, which are critical to the U.S. economy. However, Rubio stated that any deals concerning these resources are not the primary focus of the upcoming talks, mentioning, “It’s an important topic, but it’s not the main topic on the agenda.” He acknowledged the contributions of Britain and France in supporting diplomatic efforts with Ukraine.
This visit marks Rubio’s second trip to Saudi Arabia during his term. He had previously engaged with Russian officials in February and is expected to travel to Canada for G7 foreign minister meetings the following day.
In summary, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia aims to address the pause in aid to Ukraine through discussions with Ukrainian officials. The focus is on understanding potential concessions rather than immediate agreements on resource deals. This diplomatic engagement reflects the complexity of resolving the ongoing conflict, where military actions and diplomatic efforts must be synchronized for a sustainable peace.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
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