Rubio Visits Saudi Arabia as Zelenskyy Arrives in UAE for Peace Talks
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Saudi Arabia, while Ukrainian President Zelenskyy visits the UAE as peace talks concerning the Russia-Ukraine conflict are set to begin. Rubio highlights the challenging nature of peace efforts, while Zelenskyy expresses surprise over the talks, emphasizing Ukraine’s need to be involved. An emergency summit in Paris is also scheduled for European leaders to address security guarantees for Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to the UAE amid anticipated peace discussions aimed at resolving the conflict initiated by Russia against Ukraine. Rubio is joined by National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, although he has not disclosed his meeting schedule in Riyadh. Reports indicate significant talks are expected to commence on the following Tuesday, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov potentially attending the discussions.
Rubio emphasized the complexity of the war during a CBS interview, stating, “One phone call does not make peace. One phone call does not solve a war as complex as this one, but I can tell you that Donald Trump is the only leader in the world that could potentially begin that process.” He further noted, “I said yesterday that ‘peace’ is not a noun, it’s a verb. It’s an action. You have to take concrete steps toward it.” Rubio’s visit follows a recent conversation betweenTrump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, wherein both parties agreed to expedite negotiations and indicated a prospective face-to-face meeting in Saudi Arabia.
Zelenskyy expressed surprise regarding the Saudi meeting during the Munich Security Conference, questioning the nature of the planned discussions despite prior claims from the U.S. indicating an invitation to Kyiv. Currently in the UAE for previously scheduled engagements, he mentioned an interest in visiting Saudi Arabia and Turkey but has no intentions of meeting with U.S. or Russian officials.
Amidst these developments, top European leaders at the Munich conference asserted that Ukraine must play a direct role in negotiations between Trump and Putin, highlighting the lack of EU representation at the talks. Meanwhile, European leaders are set to convene in Paris for an emergency summit focusing on security guarantees for Ukraine as uncertainties regarding Kyiv’s and Europe’s roles in the upcoming discussions persist.
The arrival of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Saudi Arabia and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s visit to the UAE are crucial as anticipated peace talks regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict approach. Rubio’s statements underscore the intricacy of achieving peace, while Zelenskyy’s surprise at the proceedings raises questions about Ukraine’s involvement. European leaders stress the necessity for direct Ukrainian engagement in negotiations, amidst the backdrop of an emergency summit in Paris.
Original Source: www.politico.eu
