Rubio thanks Saudi Arabian prince for organizing negotiations with Ukraine
Marco Rubio (photo: Getty Images)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already arrived in Saudi Arabia and met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. He thanked him for inviting the US and organizing negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, according to CNN and the US State Department website.
"US Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman for once again hosting the United States in talks to help resolve the Ukraine war and secure a lasting peace," the statement reads.
Additionally, the leaders discussed Yemen and the threats to maritime navigation posed by the Houthi terrorists, which threaten global trade, American interests, citizens, and the infrastructure of Saudi Arabia.
Rubiо also spoke about Syria and ways to promote a stable government free from terrorism.
"They discussed reconstruction in Gaza; the Secretary thanked the Crown Prince for hosting Arab countries and reiterated the United States firm commitment that any solution to the situation in Gaza must not include any role for Hamas," the State Department added.
CNN clarifies that the meeting between Rubio and Mohammed bin Salman lasted more than two hours before crucial talks between the US and Ukraine, which are scheduled to take place today, Tuesday.
What Rubio said in the last 24 hours
Rubio also mentioned that he sees potential in Ukraine's proposal for a partial ceasefire to end the war.
He added that as part of a peace agreement, Ukraine may have to concede to Russia the territories it has occupied since 2014.
Furthermore, Rubio expressed hope that the issue of suspending US military aid to Ukraine could be addressed during the negotiations in Saudi Arabia.
