Rubio Touches Down in Riyadh Before Key U.S.-Russia Discussions
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Saudi Arabia to engage in talks with Russian officials regarding the restoration of bilateral relations and the situation in Ukraine, while also tackling regional matters.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio landed in Riyadh on Monday as part of a scheduled trip intended for high-level discussions with Russian representatives.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and presidential foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov are set to meet with the American delegation in Riyadh on Tuesday.
The conversations will concentrate on reinstating the full range of Russia–U.S. relations and preparing for possible negotiations regarding a resolution in Ukraine, as indicated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are also anticipated to partake in the discussions.
These meetings signify some of the first direct interactions between U.S. and Russian officials in recent years.
The talks are expected to take place ahead of a forthcoming meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents, following a recent phone call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which Trump instructed officials to initiate negotiations concerning the war in Ukraine.
Riyadh has played a significant role in enabling initial contacts between the Trump administration and Moscow, aiding in a recent prisoner exchange.
The Saudi capital is also engaged in discussions with Washington regarding the future of the Gaza Strip.
On the agenda for Rubio’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is a proposal for relocating Palestinian residents of Gaza to other Arab countries and for the U.S. to spearhead reconstruction efforts.
Saudi officials, alongside other Arab nations, have dismissed resettlement proposals and are reportedly crafting an alternative plan, which may include a Gulf-led reconstruction fund and strategies to mitigate Hamas's influence.
Rubio visited Israel on Sunday and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirming support for Israel amid its regional conflict with Iran.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, is also in the area with plans to visit Saudi Arabia and Turkey, although he is not expected to attend the Riyadh discussions.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the scheduled meetings in Riyadh will occur on Tuesday.
This engagement represents a notable advancement in diplomatic interaction, as high-level dialogue between Russian and U.S. officials resumes in person.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and presidential foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov are set to meet with the American delegation in Riyadh on Tuesday.
The conversations will concentrate on reinstating the full range of Russia–U.S. relations and preparing for possible negotiations regarding a resolution in Ukraine, as indicated by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are also anticipated to partake in the discussions.
These meetings signify some of the first direct interactions between U.S. and Russian officials in recent years.
The talks are expected to take place ahead of a forthcoming meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents, following a recent phone call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which Trump instructed officials to initiate negotiations concerning the war in Ukraine.
Riyadh has played a significant role in enabling initial contacts between the Trump administration and Moscow, aiding in a recent prisoner exchange.
The Saudi capital is also engaged in discussions with Washington regarding the future of the Gaza Strip.
On the agenda for Rubio’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is a proposal for relocating Palestinian residents of Gaza to other Arab countries and for the U.S. to spearhead reconstruction efforts.
Saudi officials, alongside other Arab nations, have dismissed resettlement proposals and are reportedly crafting an alternative plan, which may include a Gulf-led reconstruction fund and strategies to mitigate Hamas's influence.
Rubio visited Israel on Sunday and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirming support for Israel amid its regional conflict with Iran.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, is also in the area with plans to visit Saudi Arabia and Turkey, although he is not expected to attend the Riyadh discussions.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the scheduled meetings in Riyadh will occur on Tuesday.
This engagement represents a notable advancement in diplomatic interaction, as high-level dialogue between Russian and U.S. officials resumes in person.
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