U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visits Saudi Arabia to discuss Ukraine amid President Trump’s aid freeze. Rubio’s talks focus on advancing peace between Russia and Ukraine, following tensions arising from a past meeting with Zelensky. The potential resumption of aid is linked to a prospective minerals deal, reflecting ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia on Sunday to engage in discussions with Ukraine, amidst President Donald Trump’s considerations regarding an aid freeze to the country following a previous meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This journey marks Rubio’s involvement in important diplomatic negotiations that seek to align with the President’s agenda concerning the resolution of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The State Department has confirmed that Rubio’s itinerary includes participation in the Group of Seven talks in Canada, representing the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit since Trump’s return to power. His discussions in Jeddah, set for Monday through Wednesday, aim to facilitate progress towards ending the war, as stated by State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, who emphasized a shift away from previous references to Russia’s invasion.
President Zelensky is anticipated to be present in Jeddah, alongside Trump’s adviser Steve Witkoff. Tensions rose after Trump suspended aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine following a contentious meeting with Zelensky in late February. Both Trump and Vice President JD Vance expressed dissatisfaction with Zelensky, citing alleged ingratitude in response to substantial U.S. military aid provided to Ukraine.
During this meeting, Zelensky refrained from signing a contentious agreement proposed by Trump regarding Ukraine relinquishing significant mineral resources to the United States. However, Zelensky has since indicated a willingness to finalize this minerals deal and has communicated a conciliatory tone in a letter addressed to Trump, which was referenced by the President during a recent Congress address.
U.S. special envoy to Russia and Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, remarked that he supports the resumption of aid contingent upon Zelensky signing the proposed agreement, although the ultimate decision rests with Trump. Reports indicate that Trump may seek further assurances from Zelensky beyond the minerals deal, particularly regarding necessary concessions to Russia.
In response to the aid suspension, European leaders have begun exploring alternatives to compensate for lost U.S. support, though Zelensky has reiterated the irreplaceable nature of U.S. security guarantees in any negotiation with Russia. Despite ongoing hostilities from Russia, which continues to attack Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Trump has threatened to impose more sanctions on Russia unless negotiations progress.
Rubio previously met with his Russian counterpart, signaling a potential thaw in high-level communications frozen during the Biden administration, and has suggested future economic collaboration contingent on a resolution of the conflict. In Saudi Arabia, he is also expected to engage with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, an influential figure in regional diplomacy.
In addition to addressing Ukraine, Rubio is likely to advocate for Saudi recognition of Israel, a goal complicated by the ongoing Gaza conflict. Following his stay in Saudi Arabia, Rubio will travel to Quebec for a meeting of the Group of Seven foreign ministers, with aims to bolster U.S. interests in global stability, peace, and strategic collaboration, despite existing tensions between the U.S. and Canada.
In summary, Secretary Marco Rubio’s trip to Saudi Arabia and subsequent talks in Canada underscore significant U.S. efforts to navigate the complexities surrounding Ukraine amid an aid freeze. The potential resumption of aid hinges on negotiations, particularly regarding a minerals deal proposed by President Trump. Moreover, Rubio’s involvement signifies a strategic movement towards diplomacy with Russia, alongside broader U.S. interests concerning security and cooperation in the region. These diplomatic engagements are critical as the U.S. reassesses its role in stabilizing Ukraine and interacting with international allies.
Original Source: www.france24.com
