High-Stakes Diplomacy in Riyadh
Rubio Arrives in Saudi Arabia for U.S.-Russia Talks on Ending Ukraine War as negotiations begin in an effort to resolve the ongoing conflict. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio landed in Saudi Arabia on Monday for expected discussions with Russian officials, aiming to negotiate an end to Moscow’s nearly three-year-long war in Ukraine.
The talks follow a directive from President Donald Trump, who last week spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and instructed top officials to begin negotiations. Throughout his campaign, Trump repeatedly vowed to bring the war to a close.
Saudi Arabia’s Role in Early Diplomatic Efforts
Saudi Arabia, already engaged in discussions with Washington regarding Gaza’s future, has played a key role in early diplomatic contacts between the Trump administration and Moscow. Last week, Riyadh helped facilitate a prisoner exchange between the two sides.
Key U.S. and Russian Officials Expected at Talks
Rubio, who spoke by phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday, is set to meet Russian officials in Saudi Arabia alongside Trump’s National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. It remains unclear which Russian representatives will participate in the talks.
According to Russian newspaper Kommersant, citing unnamed sources, negotiations will take place on Tuesday in Riyadh. These discussions mark one of the first high-level in-person engagements between U.S. and Russian officials in years and are expected to lay the groundwork for a potential meeting between Trump and Putin.
Rubio: “The Coming Days Will Be Critical”
Speaking on Sunday, Rubio emphasized that the coming days and weeks would reveal whether Putin is genuinely committed to achieving peace.
Zelenskiy in the Region but Not Involved in Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is also in the region. He arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday and indicated plans to visit Saudi Arabia and Turkey, though no specific dates have been set. Zelenskiy stated that he has no intention of meeting with U.S. or Russian officials, and Ukraine has not been invited to the Saudi-hosted talks.
Discussions on Gaza and Trump’s Controversial Proposal
In addition to Ukraine, Rubio is expected to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) to discuss Trump’s proposal to resettle Palestinian residents of Gaza in other Arab nations while the U.S. leads reconstruction efforts in the region.
This proposal has sparked widespread outrage across the Arab world and heightened fears among Palestinians about forced displacement from Gaza.
Gaza War: Regional Tensions Remain High
The region has been devastated by war since Iran-backed Hamas militants launched an attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages, according to Israeli officials. In response, Israel launched a military offensive that has killed over 48,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities, before a fragile ceasefire was reached last month.
Saudi Arabia, along with other Arab nations, has firmly rejected any resettlement plan for Palestinians. Riyadh is instead pushing for a counterproposal, which could involve a Gulf-led reconstruction fund and a strategy to sideline Hamas from governance.
Saudi Arabia’s Position on Normalizing Ties with Israel
MbS has also insisted that Saudi Arabia will not normalize ties with Israel—a long-term goal for Washington—without a clear agreement on the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Rubio Reaffirms U.S. Support for Israel
Before arriving in Saudi Arabia, Rubio visited Israel on Sunday, where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel in its ongoing regional tensions with Iran.
Key Takeaways from Rubio’s Meeting
Marco Rubio highlighted several essential points from the U.S.-Russia discussions in Saudi Arabia:
- Commitment to Ending the Ukraine War: Rubio reaffirmed the U.S.’s dedication to achieving peace while ensuring that Ukraine and European allies remain integral to any final agreements.
- U.S.-Russia Relations: These talks mark a significant step toward potential high-level negotiations between Trump and Putin to de-escalate global tensions.
- Saudi Arabia’s Mediation Role: Rubio acknowledged Riyadh’s critical involvement in facilitating early diplomatic engagements between the U.S. and Russia.
- Gaza Conflict and Regional Stability: Rubio discussed Trump’s controversial Gaza resettlement proposal with MbS, while emphasizing the need for alternative reconstruction plans.
- Israel’s Security and Middle East Dynamics: During his visit to Israel, Rubio reassured Netanyahu of unwavering U.S. support in countering Iranian threats and stabilizing the region.
Rubio Arrives in Saudi Arabia for U.S.-Russia Talks on Ending Ukraine War as the discussions progress, shaping the next phase of diplomatic negotiations.
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