Rubio visits Saudi Arabia for talks with Russia on Ukraine war

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday for talks with Russian officials aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. This follows a recent phone call between President Trump and Russian President Putin, initiating negotiations. Rubio will meet with Russian officials alongside national security adviser Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. These discussions are among the first high-level meetings between U.S. and Russian officials in years, with a meeting between the presidents expected later. Rubio is also set to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss Trump's controversial proposal regarding Gaza. Saudi Arabia has rejected plans for Palestinian resettlement and is working on a counterproposal involving reconstruction efforts.