Secretary of State Rubio Pursues Resolution of Ukraine Aid Pause in Saudi Arabia
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Saudi Arabia for talks with Ukrainian officials aimed at resolving the pause in military aid to Ukraine. He emphasizes a listening approach to understand Ukraine’s potential concessions. Additionally, discussions will touch on Ukraine’s mineral resources, although they will not be the primary focus. The involvement of allies like Britain and France is acknowledged as an important part of the diplomatic efforts to conclude the conflict.
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed his hopes to resolve the pause in aid to Ukraine during upcoming discussions with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He noted that the United States is prepared to listen and understand the potential concessions Ukraine might offer in exchange for aid. Rubio stated, “The Ukrainians are already receiving all defensive intelligence information as we speak… I hope we can resolve the pause in aid broadly.”
Rubio emphasized that the discussions would not be about drawing precise boundaries but rather understanding what concessions could be possible from Ukraine. He pointed out that both Russia and Ukraine must undertake significant challenges. Later that day, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, colloquially known as MBS, convened with Rubio. MBS previously met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Riyadh. Rubio, along with U.S. national security adviser Mike Waltz, will lead the talks with Ukraine’s delegation, which includes notable figures like Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, and Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha.
Amidst these discussions, Trump has indicated a desire to link continued military aid to access to Ukraine’s wealth of minerals, particularly those crucial to U.S. economic interests. However, Rubio clarified that securing a deal regarding Ukraine’s mineral resources would not be the primary focus of the talks. He remarked, “There’s still more details to work out… we’re probably just wanting to sign a specific agreement, and that would take a little bit more time.”
Rubio also recognized the positive contributions of Britain and France in the dialogues with Ukraine. He confirmed that there have been no conversations regarding China’s involvement in postwar peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine. This visit marks Rubio’s second trip to Saudi Arabia since taking his position, and he is set to travel to Canada later for meetings with G7 foreign ministers.
In summary, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia aims to address the suspension of aid to Ukraine while exploring possible concessions from Ukrainian officials. The discussions will prioritize military assistance and strategic cooperation rather than immediate agreements on mineral resources. Additionally, the involvement of global allies like Britain and France highlights the diplomatic efforts surrounding the ongoing conflict. Rubio’s engagement signifies continued U.S. commitment to resolving the situation in Ukraine as the geopolitical landscape evolves.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
