U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Saudi Arabia on Sunday for talks aimed at advancing President Donald Trump’s goal to end the Russia-Ukraine war, as the White House weighs whether to resume suspended military aid to Kyiv. Rubio will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in Jeddah, where discussions will focus on securing a ceasefire and potential concessions from Ukraine, including a controversial deal to transfer mineral rights to the U.S. as compensation for past aid.
Trump halted U.S. assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after a tense February meeting with Zelensky, whom he criticized for insufficient gratitude. While Zelensky has since offered to sign the minerals agreement and sent a conciliatory letter, Trump’s advisers suggest he may demand further concessions to Russia before reinstating aid. European allies, scrambling to fill the gap, face skepticism from Kyiv, which insists U.S. security guarantees remain critical for any peace deal.
Rubio’s trip includes talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reflecting Riyadh’s growing role as a mediator. The visit follows Rubio’s recent engagement with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, signaling a shift toward post-war economic cooperation under Trump.
After Saudi talks, Rubio will attend a Group of Seven (G7) meeting in Canada, where he aims to address global stability despite Trump’s trade tensions with Ottawa. The U.S. has partially rolled back tariffs on Canada, but relations remain strained, with Trump dismissively referring to the country as the “51st state.”
Meanwhile, Russia continues strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, prompting Trump to threaten tighter sanctions if Moscow refuses negotiations. The diplomatic push underscores Trump’s transactional approach, balancing pressure on allies and adversaries while navigating a war with no clear end in sight.