Rubio Visits Saudi Arabia to Discuss Ukraine Amid Frozen Aid Concerns

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Saudi Arabia for talks with Ukraine amidst President Trump’s review of military support. Key discussions involve ending the Russia-Ukraine war and potential agreements regarding Ukraine’s mineral resources. Following this, Rubio will attend G7 meetings in Canada, emphasizing US strategic interests.

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio commenced his trip to Saudi Arabia on Sunday for discussions regarding Ukraine, specifically assessing any shifts in the country’s stance amid President Donald Trump’s deliberations about resuming military and intelligence support. Following the talks in Saudi Arabia, Rubio is scheduled to attend meetings with the Group of Seven (G7) in Canada, marking the first visit of a significant US official since Trump took office.

During his three-day talks in Jeddah, Rubio aims to explore strategies to “advance the president’s goal to end the Russia-Ukraine war,” as indicated by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce. Notably, Bruce refrained from asserting that the situation constitutes a “Russian invasion of Ukraine,” contrasting previous characterizations from the former administration and its allies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to be present in Jeddah for the discussions, alongside Steve Witkoff, a close Trump advisor. Rubio departed from Miami’s Homestead Air Base at approximately 08:00 PM local time. Trump, speaking about the anticipated outcomes in Saudi Arabia, expressed optimism for progress, stating: “I think we are going to have a good result in Saudi Arabia… we have a lot of good people going out there.”

Following a contentious meeting with Zelensky, Trump had suspended aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. During that meeting, he and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky for presumed ingratitude regarding substantial US weapon supplies. Zelensky did not sign an agreement sought by Trump involving Ukraine’s resource distribution but has since indicated his willingness to discuss the matter.

Keith Kellogg, the US special envoy on Russia and Ukraine, stated that aid resumption would be contingent upon Zelensky signing the minerals agreement; however, the ultimate decision rests with Trump. Reports suggest that Trump desires further assurances of concessions from Zelensky to Russia before reinstating support. Trump commented, “Right now they have not shown they ‘want peace.'”

As European leaders seek alternatives to US aid, Zelensky himself has pointed out that there is no replacement for US security guarantees. Russia has continued its military actions against Ukraine, comprising attacks on energy infrastructure. Amid these developments, Trump has also threatened to impose stricter sanctions on Russia if it does not engage in negotiations.

Rubio’s previous meeting with his Russian counterpart marked a breaking of high-level communications during the Biden administration, emphasizing future economic collaboration should the conflict conclude. Additionally, Rubio’s agenda in Jeddah includes discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, an influential figure in Saudi politics. Trump is anticipated to advocate for Saudi recognition of Israel, a challenging objective given the current dynamics of the Gaza conflict.

After the Jeddah meetings, Rubio will proceed to Quebec for G7 foreign ministers’ discussions, where he intends to prioritize US strategic interests regarding global peace and stability.

In summary, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia represents a significant diplomatic endeavor to address the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Clarifications on the nature of US support, negotiations with Ukraine concerning natural resources, and the broader geopolitical implications involving Russia and Saudi Arabia are at the forefront of these discussions. Additionally, the outcomes of this trip may lay the groundwork for future strategic alignments and resolutions in the region.

Original Source: www.insidenova.com