Rubio’s Visit to Saudi Arabia: Talks on Ukraine and Gaza

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Saudi Arabia for talks with Russian officials to address the ongoing war in Ukraine. This follows a recent directive from President Trump to initiate negotiations with Russia. Concurrently, discussions regarding the Gaza Strip and Palestinian resettlement proposals are also on the agenda, particularly under the scrutiny of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Saudi Arabia on Monday for anticipated discussions with Russian officials aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine. This follows a recent phone conversation between President Trump and Russian President Putin, which initiated formal negotiations, a commitment Trump emphasized during his presidential campaign.

Saudi Arabia is also engaged in discussions with the U.S. regarding the Gaza Strip and has facilitated early communications between the Trump administration and Russia, including a recent prisoner swap. Rubio, alongside national security adviser Mike Waltz and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, is to meet with Russian officials, though the specific attendees from Russia remain unclear.

The talks in Riyadh are reported to be among the first high-level in-person dialogues in recent years between U.S. and Russian leaders, setting the stage for a future presidential meeting. Rubio indicated that upcoming days are critical in assessing Putin’s intentions for peace in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy is also in the region but reportedly does not plan to meet with U.S. or Russian representatives.

Rubio is anticipated to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss Trump’s controversial proposal concerning Gaza’s Palestinian residents, which has sparked outrage in the Arab World. The situation escalated following an assault by Hamas on Israel in early October 2023, resulting in significant casualties on both sides and a subsequent ceasefire agreement.

Saudi Arabia and other Arab nations oppose the resettlement plan of Palestinians and are constructing a counterproposal that may involve a reconstruction fund led by Gulf states and efforts to contain Hamas’s influence. Additionally, MbS has reiterated that Saudi Arabia will not normalize relations with Israel until there is a viable pathway towards establishing a Palestinian state. On a related note, Rubio assured support for Israel during his recent visit with Prime Minister Netanyahu.

Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia aims to facilitate impactful discussions on both the Ukraine conflict and the Gaza situation. His meetings with Russian officials signify a potential thaw in U.S.-Russia relations after years of tension. The outcome of these talks may significantly influence geopolitical dynamics in the region, especially concerning Palestinian rights amid proposals for their future. These engagements underscore a complex interplay of negotiations involving the U.S., Russia, and the Middle East, with implications for international diplomacy and regional stability.

Original Source: www.usnews.com