US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on Monday. Rubio arrived in the coastal city earlier in the day for a planned meeting between US and Ukrainian officials aimed at discussing efforts to resolve the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
The US State Department had announced on Sunday that Rubio would be in Saudi Arabia from Monday to Wednesday, where he would hold discussions with a Ukrainian delegation as part of President Donald Trump’s push for an end to the conflict.
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Speaking to reporters during his flight, Rubio voiced optimism about the upcoming talks but acknowledged that further negotiations were needed regarding a minerals deal between the US and Ukraine, Al-Arabiya reported.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also traveled to Jeddah on Monday and is expected to meet with the Saudi crown prince. While details of his discussions have not been made public, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a potential mediator in the war, hosting earlier rounds of diplomatic talks involving Ukraine, Russia, and other international stakeholders.
The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has led to thousands of deaths and ongoing international sanctions against Moscow. Washington has been a key supporter of Kyiv, providing military aid and pressing for diplomatic solutions. Saudi Arabia has sought to balance its relationships with both the US and Russia while engaging in diplomatic efforts related to the conflict.