Zelenskyy and Rubio arrive in Saudi Arabia for important discussions on Russia-Ukraine conflict.

March 11, 2025 TruthUSA

State Secretary Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. is looking to comprehend Ukraine’s position on resolving the war, including any potential concessions it may consider.

Both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for crucial talks between their delegations to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

Zelenskyy indicated on social media that he met with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday to discuss “bilateral matters and cooperation with other partners.”

The Ukrainian leader mentioned a “detailed discussion” about the necessary steps and conditions for war resolution and lasting peace. He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s role in supporting diplomatic efforts.

Zelenskyy emphasized the issue of prisoner release and the return of Ukrainian citizens as crucial steps to build trust in diplomatic endeavors. Security guarantees were also a significant part of the discussion.

Zelenskyy mentioned that the Ukrainian delegation will be in Jeddah for talks with U.S. officials on Tuesday, underscoring Ukraine’s commitment to engaging in constructive dialogue with the United States.

Additionally, Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz met with the Saudi Arabian crown prince separately and thanked him for hosting the upcoming talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that the bilateral meeting discussed threats from Yemen’s Houthi rebels, the situation in Syria, and Gaza’s reconstruction. Rubio affirmed the U.S. position that any solution for Gaza should exclude Hamas involvement.

In remarks to reporters before arriving in Saudi Arabia, Rubio shared that the U.S. aims to understand Ukraine’s position on ending the war, including potential concessions for peace talks.

“Our goal is to ascertain if they are open to peace discussions and outline possible considerations, recognizing the heavy toll the war has taken on Ukraine,” Rubio mentioned while en route to Jeddah aboard a military plane.

He emphasized the need for both sides to find common ground before moving forward with a peace agreement.

“I won’t impose conditions on them. We want to listen to their willingness to compromise, compare it with Russian objectives, and assess how far apart we truly are,” Rubio explained.

President Donald Trump has temporarily halted U.S. military aid to Ukraine as part of the administration’s efforts to push for a peace settlement. CIA Director John Ratcliffe announced that Trump also ordered a pause in intelligence cooperation with Ukraine.

Temporary suspension of intelligence sharing and military aid had helped Ukraine monitor Russian troop movements and target selection. Ratcliffe emphasized that the pause was temporary on both fronts.

The aid pause occurred following an unsuccessful meeting on Feb. 28 in the Oval Office regarding a U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement, which was left unresolved. The meeting aimed to finalize the agreement for U.S. investment in Ukraine for joint development of rare earth minerals resources in exchange for past and ongoing military aid.

After a public dispute between the two parties, Trump expressed optimism on March 9 about progress in the U.S.-Ukraine talks this week to resolve the conflict with Russia. When asked about ending the intelligence sharing suspension, Trump responded, “We just about have… We really just about have.”

Chris Summers contributed to this report.

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