U.S. Secretary of State Rubio in Saudi Arabia for Ukraine Aid Discussions

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Jeddah for talks with Ukrainian officials to address the pause in aid to Ukraine. He aims to understand what concessions Ukraine may offer while emphasizing the necessity of diplomatic and military strategies combined for peace. Discussions will include Ukraine’s mineral resources but will not focus primarily on securing agreements in that area.

On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States aims to resolve the current pause in aid to Ukraine during talks scheduled for Tuesday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Rubio emphasized that the U.S. is in a listening mode, seeking to understand potential concessions that Ukraine might be willing to offer. He indicated that intelligence support for Ukraine is ongoing and expressed hope that the upcoming discussions would address the aid pause.

Rubio clarified that the talks would not involve delineating boundaries but rather gaining insights into what concessions from Ukraine could be feasible. He stressed the importance of both Russia and Ukraine undertaking difficult decisions, noting that a military resolution to the conflict is unattainable. Following his arrival in Jeddah, Rubio met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who also held a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

On Tuesday, Rubio is set to participate in discussions alongside U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and the Ukrainian delegation, which includes key officials such as Andriy Yermak, Andrii Sybiha, Rustem Umerov, and Pavlo Palisa. President Donald Trump has expressed intentions to facilitate a swift conclusion to the conflict through these negotiations, emphasizing the need for both strong military positions and effective diplomacy for a lasting peace.

Additionally, there have been discussions surrounding Ukraine’s vast mineral resources, with some suggesting that continued military aid could become contingent upon U.S. access to these resources. Rubio reassured reporters that forging a deal regarding these minerals was not the primary focus of the upcoming talks, acknowledging that while it is a significant topic, the team wants to work on a specific agreement rather than simply a memorandum of understanding. He also recognized contributions from Britain and France in the discussions but noted that no dialogue with China regarding post-war roles has occurred.

This visit to Saudi Arabia marks Rubio’s second since taking office, following earlier discussions with Russian representatives in February. He is scheduled to continue his diplomatic efforts with G7 foreign ministers in Canada later in the week.

In conclusion, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizes the importance of resolving the aid pause to Ukraine through upcoming talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His discussions will focus on understanding potential Ukrainian concessions and will notably not prioritize a minerals deal, though it remains a topic of interest. The combined efforts of strong diplomatic measures and military positions are deemed essential for achieving ongoing peace in the region.

Original Source: www.voanews.com