Rubio Aims to Resolve Ukraine Aid Issues During Talks in Saudi Arabia
Secretary of State Marco Rubio seeks to resolve the pause in U.S. aid to Ukraine during talks in Saudi Arabia. The discussions will include key Ukrainian officials, with emphasis placed on concessions and the avoidance of border delineations. While mineral resources could be a topic, they will not be the primary focus; overall, the initiative is towards fostering diplomatic resolution in the conflict.
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to address the pause in aid to Ukraine during discussions with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that the U.S. is currently focused on listening and understanding the potential concessions Ukraine may offer during these negotiations. Though defensive intelligence is being provided to Ukraine, Rubio expressed hope that the aid issue could be resolved, considering the pivotal nature of the talks scheduled for Tuesday.
Rubio stated that the discussions would not involve drawing borders but rather would seek to ascertain the feasible concessions the Ukrainians might be able to make. He further asserted that there is no military solution to the conflict, suggesting that both Russia and Ukraine will need to undertake challenging decisions for a resolution. Additionally, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia met with Rubio during his visit to Jeddah, following MBS’s earlier meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Riyadh.
The upcoming discussions will also involve U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz alongside Rubio and will include key figures from the Ukrainian delegation, such as Zelenskyy’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. President Trump has indicated a desire for continued military support to be tied to access to Ukraine’s natural resources, which are vital for the U.S. economy and national defense. However, Rubio clarified that the focus of the talks would not primarily be on securing agreements regarding Ukraine’s mineral resources.
Rubio mentioned that while a minerals deal is an important subject, it is not the main focus of the talks. There are still many details to finalize, indicating that any specific agreements will require additional time to negotiate. Also, he acknowledged the constructive engagement of the United Kingdom and France in discussions regarding Ukraine. Notably, Rubio revealed that there have been no dialogues about China’s involvement in post-war peacekeeping in Ukraine during these talks.
In conclusion, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia aims to resolve issues surrounding the pause in aid to Ukraine, focusing on understanding potential Ukrainian concessions. While discussions on mineral resources are acknowledged, they will not dominate the agenda. The strategic dialogues involving U.S. officials and key Ukrainian figures signify an effort to advance toward a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict, with an emphasis on strong diplomacy alongside military readiness.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
