Rubio arrives in Saudi Arabia before talks with Russia

17/2/2025 19:05

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday ahead of expected high-stakes talks between American and Russian officials aimed at ending Moscow's nearly three-year war in Ukraine.



The talks come after President Donald Trump last week spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone and ordered top officials to begin negotiations on the war, which he repeatedly vowed to end during his presidential campaign.



Riyadh, which is also involved in talks with Washington over the future of the Gaza Strip, has played a role in early contacts between the Trump administration, which took office on January 20, and Moscow, helping to secure a prisoner swap last week.