U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday ahead of significant talks with Russian officials aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has now stretched into its third year. This move follows a phone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, in which the two leaders discussed potential negotiations to halt the conflict.
The talks, set to take place on Tuesday in Riyadh, are being seen as an important step in the effort to bring peace to Ukraine. Rubio, along with key figures such as Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, will meet with Russian representatives, though specific details on who from Russia will be attending remain unclear. These talks are expected to be among the first in-person discussions between Russian and U.S. officials in years and could set the stage for a future meeting between the two presidents.
In a statement on Sunday, Rubio expressed that the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Putin is genuinely committed to peace. He acknowledged that much remains uncertain and that further developments would reveal Russia’s stance.
The talks in Saudi Arabia also coincide with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the Middle East. Zelensky arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday and expressed plans to visit Saudi Arabia and Turkey, although no specific dates for these visits have been set. Ukraine is not expected to be invited to the Saudi-hosted talks.
Alongside the Ukraine discussions, Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia also includes meetings concerning the Gaza Strip. Rubio is expected to engage with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) on Trump’s controversial proposal for the resettlement of Palestinian residents from Gaza to other Arab nations. The plan has generated significant opposition, particularly from Arab countries, and raised concerns among Palestinians in Gaza about potential displacement.
The war in Gaza, which erupted after Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel in October 2023, has caused massive casualties and displacement. Over 48,000 Palestinians have been killed, and the situation remains dire, despite a ceasefire agreement reached in January. Saudi Arabia, alongside other Arab nations, has rejected Trump’s resettlement plan and is spearheading efforts to craft an alternative proposal. This includes a potential Gulf-led reconstruction fund for Gaza and a plan to sideline Hamas.
Rubio’s visit to Israel earlier this week further underscored U.S. support for Israel, particularly in its ongoing rivalry with Iran. The talks in Saudi Arabia represent a key moment in shaping the geopolitical dynamics of both the Ukrainian conflict and the future of Gaza.
Sources By Agencies