US Secretary of State Marco Rubio landed in Saudi Arabia on Monday, setting the stage for intense talks with Russian officials. These discussions aim to bring an end to the brutal, nearly three-year-long war in Ukraine. This move follows a crucial phone call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump has repeatedly vowed to end the war, and now, he’s pushing his officials into action.
A key moment for Middle East diplomacy
Saudi Arabia has become a key player in Middle Eastern diplomacy. It has helped mediate early conversations between the US and Russia, even facilitating a recent prisoner swap. Rubio’s arrival is no coincidence. His visit comes just days after a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Now, Rubio, along with Trump’s National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, will meet Russian officials in Riyadh.
The talks could change everything
Russian newspaper Kommersant reports that the meeting will happen on Tuesday. These talks will be crucial, as they mark one of the first in-person discussions between high-ranking US and Russian officials in years. The talks aim to pave the way for a potential summit between the US and Russian presidents.
Rubio made it clear: the next few weeks will show whether Putin is genuinely committed to peace. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, currently in the UAE, will also visit Saudi Arabia and Turkey. However, he’s not expected to attend the talks in Saudi Arabia. Ukraine is not invited, further complicating the situation.
Gaza conflict adds tension
In addition to the Ukraine talks, Rubio’s trip to Saudi Arabia will touch on another pressing issue: the Gaza Strip. Rubio is expected to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS). On the agenda will be Trump’s controversial proposal for the resettlement of Palestinian residents in Gaza to other Arab nations, along with plans for the US to lead reconstruction efforts.
This idea has caused outrage across the Arab world. Palestinians in Gaza fear being driven out of their home region. The situation in Gaza has already reached catastrophic levels after a brutal conflict between Hamas and Israel that began in October 2023. The war resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, and the ceasefire is still fragile.
Saudi Arabia spearheads Arab opposition
Saudi Arabia, alongside other Arab nations, has firmly rejected the resettlement plan. Instead, they are working on a counterproposal. This could involve a reconstruction fund led by Gulf states and efforts to isolate Hamas from the peace process. Additionally, MbS has been clear: Saudi Arabia will not normalize ties with Israel without a solid pathway to Palestinian statehood. This position directly contradicts the US’s longstanding goal to secure such a deal with Israel.
Rubio’s visit to Israel
Before heading to Saudi Arabia, Rubio also visited Israel. He met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reaffirmed US support for Israel. This visit highlights the growing regional tensions, particularly in the context of Iran’s rising influence and Israel’s ongoing struggle in the region.
In the coming days, all eyes will be on Riyadh, as these pivotal talks unfold. Will they succeed in moving the needle toward peace, or is this just another attempt to bridge an impossible gap? Only time will tell.
