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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
Outside the box.
Rubio Lands in Riyadh Prior to High-Stakes U.S.-Russia Discussions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives in Saudi Arabia to engage in talks with Russian officials about reestablishing bilateral relations and tackling the situation in Ukraine, while also considering regional matters.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Riyadh on Monday for a scheduled visit aimed at high-level discussions with Russian officials.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and foreign policy advisor to President Vladimir Putin, Yuri Ushakov, are set to join the American delegation in Riyadh on Tuesday.
The talks are expected to concentrate on revitalizing the comprehensive Russia-U.S. relations and setting the stage for possible negotiations regarding a settlement in Ukraine, as stated by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are also predicted to participate in the discussions.
These sessions represent some of the first face-to-face interactions between U.S. and Russian officials in several years.
The negotiations will take place ahead of a planned meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents and follow a recent phone call between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin, during which Trump instructed officials to initiate discussions concerning the Ukraine conflict.
Riyadh has played an important role in facilitating initial interactions between the Trump administration and Moscow, which contributed to a recent prisoner exchange.
The Saudi capital is also engaged in talks 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 to resettle Palestinian residents of Gaza in other Arab countries, alongside a push for the U.S. to spearhead reconstruction efforts.
Saudi officials, along with other Arab nations, have dismissed resettlement proposals and are reportedly working on an alternative plan, which may feature a Gulf-led reconstruction fund and strategies to curtail Hamas's influence.
Rubio visited Israel on Sunday where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirming support for Israel amid its rivalry with Iran in the region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, is also in the area with intentions to visit Saudi Arabia and Turkey, though he is not expected to take part in the Riyadh discussions.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the planned meetings in Riyadh will occur on Tuesday.
This engagement signifies a crucial moment in diplomatic relations as high-level dialogue between Russian and U.S. officials resumes in person.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and foreign policy advisor to President Vladimir Putin, Yuri Ushakov, are set to join the American delegation in Riyadh on Tuesday.
The talks are expected to concentrate on revitalizing the comprehensive Russia-U.S. relations and setting the stage for possible negotiations regarding a settlement in Ukraine, as stated by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are also predicted to participate in the discussions.
These sessions represent some of the first face-to-face interactions between U.S. and Russian officials in several years.
The negotiations will take place ahead of a planned meeting between the U.S. and Russian presidents and follow a recent phone call between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin, during which Trump instructed officials to initiate discussions concerning the Ukraine conflict.
Riyadh has played an important role in facilitating initial interactions between the Trump administration and Moscow, which contributed to a recent prisoner exchange.
The Saudi capital is also engaged in talks 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 to resettle Palestinian residents of Gaza in other Arab countries, alongside a push for the U.S. to spearhead reconstruction efforts.
Saudi officials, along with other Arab nations, have dismissed resettlement proposals and are reportedly working on an alternative plan, which may feature a Gulf-led reconstruction fund and strategies to curtail Hamas's influence.
Rubio visited Israel on Sunday where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reaffirming support for Israel amid its rivalry with Iran in the region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, is also in the area with intentions to visit Saudi Arabia and Turkey, though he is not expected to take part in the Riyadh discussions.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the planned meetings in Riyadh will occur on Tuesday.
This engagement signifies a crucial moment in diplomatic relations as high-level dialogue between Russian and U.S. officials resumes in person.
