Marco Rubio and Volodymyr Zelenskyy Engage in Diplomatic Talks Amid Ukraine Conflict

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Saudi Arabia for anticipated peace talks regarding the Ukraine conflict, while President Zelenskyy is in the UAE. Rubio highlights the complexity of the war, affirming Trump’s potential role in initiating discussions, whereas Zelenskyy expresses confusion about the meeting in Saudi Arabia. European officials stress the need for Ukraine’s inclusion in any negotiations.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Saudi Arabia, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made his way to the United Arab Emirates over the weekend. Their travels are coinciding with anticipated peace talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Rubio is accompanied in Riyadh by U.S. President Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser Michael Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. However, details regarding the officials he plans to meet remain undisclosed. Reports from Russia’s Kommersant and U.S. news outlet Axios indicate these pivotal discussions are scheduled for Tuesday, with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expected to join.

During a recent interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Rubio remarked, “One phone call does not make peace.” He emphasized the complexity of the war and suggested that former President Trump is uniquely positioned to initiate peace efforts. He also stated, “I said yesterday that ‘peace’ is not a noun, it’s a verb. It’s an action.”

This diplomatic engagement follows a recent conversation between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where they decided to begin negotiations immediately, with a potential face-to-face meeting in Saudi Arabia on the horizon. Zelenskyy expressed his astonishment regarding the developments surrounding the Saudi meeting, asserting that he did not possess clear information about it.

Although currently in the UAE on a pre-planned visit, Zelenskyy aims to visit both Saudi Arabia and Turkey but does not intend to meet with U.S. or Russian officials. European leaders have underscored the necessity of Ukraine’s involvement in the dialogue between Trump and Putin, despite the EU not being included in the discussions.

Additionally, an emergency summit concerning security guarantees for Ukraine is set for some European leaders in Paris, as the future role of Kyiv and European nations in forthcoming peace discussions remains ambiguous.

In summary, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia and President Zelenskyy’s attendance in the UAE highlight the international diplomatic efforts toward addressing the conflict in Ukraine. Concerns are raised regarding Ukraine’s involvement in peace talks, as major dialogues between U.S. and Russian officials are on the agenda without clear representation for Kyiv. The situation underscores the intricate dynamics of international relations in the context of this enduring war.

Original Source: www.politico.eu