Secretary of State Marco Rubio is received by Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs Abdulmajeed al-Smari upon arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Monday.
EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
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EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
DUBAI — Secretary of State Marco Rubio is currently in Saudi Arabia for discussions on President Donald Trump’s Gaza redevelopment plans and to engage with Russian officials on resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
This trip marks Rubio’s first official visit to the Middle East since assuming the role of Secretary of State. His visit began in Israel, where discussions focused on initiating negotiations for a second phase of the Gaza ceasefire. Israeli delegates have traveled to Cairo to prepare for these talks ahead of the current ceasefire’s expiration.
Rubio’s meetings in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are pivotal as these countries seek to mediate between the United States and Russia. Both Gulf states have close ties with the U.S. and business connections with Russia, making them key players in diplomatic negotiations.
Rubio advocates for Trump’s Gaza initiatives
Trump’s proposed transformation of the Gaza Strip into a luxurious destination, with the relocation of Palestinian residents to other countries, requires support from wealthy Gulf states. These nations may be called upon to exert pressure on Egypt and Jordan to permanently resettle Palestinians from Gaza.
In addition to funding Gaza’s reconstruction efforts, Gulf Arab states may need to assist in the clearance of rubble, which still contains numerous casualties and unexploded ordnance from past conflicts.
While Saudi Arabia and other key Arab states oppose plans that displace Palestinians, their willingness to support alternative solutions remains uncertain. Arab Gulf states are hesitant to invest in Gaza’s redevelopment as long as Hamas remains in control and the risk of Israeli attacks persists.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, once close to normalizing relations with Israel, has labeled the conflict in Gaza a genocide, reflecting widespread condemnation in the region over the high Palestinian death toll resulting from previous hostilities.
Areas where the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are likely to find common ground include countering Iran’s influence, stabilizing Lebanon post-Hezbollah’s decline, and supporting the new Syrian government.
During his visit to Israel, Rubio highlighted Iran as a major destabilizing force in the region. While Trump’s Gaza strategy caught many by surprise, Rubio emphasized the need for a new approach to break the cycle of conflict and address the Hamas threat.
“We cannot continue with the same patterns that lead us to the same outcomes,” Rubio stated. “Hamas cannot persist as a military or governing entity.”
Rubio’s talks with Russian officials on ending Ukraine conflict
In addition to his engagements in Saudi Arabia, Rubio is meeting with Russian counterparts, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential advisor Yuri Ushakov. Discussions aim to lay the groundwork for a potential meeting between Trump and Putin and explore options for resolving the Ukraine crisis.
The meeting follows a lengthy phone call between Trump and Putin and signals progress towards a peace agreement in Ukraine.
While Ukrainians are not directly involved in the Saudi meetings, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in the UAE, with plans to visit Saudi Arabia later this week.
Rubio’s inaugural Middle East visit as Secretary of State
Rubio’s arrival coincided with the release of additional Israeli hostages by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees. The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by the U.S., is nearing its expiration, with efforts underway to secure the hostages’ safe return.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the U.S.-Israeli partnership under Trump, emphasizing the potential for transformative changes in the region. Netanyahu’s endorsement of Trump’s Gaza proposal underscores the shared vision for regional stability.
As Israel received military support from the U.S., concerns linger over the use of advanced weaponry in densely populated areas. The ongoing conflict dynamics underscore the complex challenges of regional peace and security.
Israel has received substantial military aid since the 2023 Hamas attack, reflecting the enduring security threats in the region.
