US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Saudi Arabia from March 10-12 for high-level diplomatic talks, including discussions with Ukrainian officials, according to a statement from the US Department of State. The visit marks a crucial moment in ongoing international efforts to address the Russia-Ukraine war, with growing concerns over the stalled US military support for Ukraine under President Donald Trump.
Rubio is scheduled to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) during his visit, a meeting expected to cover a range of geopolitical issues, including energy policies, regional security, and the war in Ukraine. Following his engagements in Riyadh, Rubio will travel to Canada from March 12-14 to attend the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting, where Ukraine will be a primary focus.
Rubio’s visit comes amid a shifting US policy on Ukraine. On February 28, President Trump halted military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine following a clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. This decision has sparked intense debate within the US and among Western allies, many of whom have expressed concerns about the consequences of reducing military assistance to Ukraine at a time when Russian forces are making gains on the battlefield.
In a phone conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Friday, Rubio reaffirmed Trump’s commitment to ending the war as soon as possible. However, with military aid on hold, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to seek alternative sources of support from European allies and Middle Eastern partners.
Zelenskiy, meanwhile, has announced plans to visit Saudi Arabia on Monday for his own meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, signaling that Ukraine is actively seeking diplomatic and potential economic assistance from the Gulf nation. Additionally, Ukrainian diplomatic and military officials will meet with Rubio and the US delegation on Tuesday, possibly to discuss alternative forms of cooperation in the absence of direct US military assistance.
Saudi Arabia has taken a strategic balancing approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While Riyadh has maintained close ties with Moscow, particularly through OPEC+ oil production agreements, it has also offered humanitarian aid and diplomatic support to Ukraine. Last year, Saudi Arabia pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to Ukraine and played a key role in facilitating prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has sought to position Saudi Arabia as a neutral mediator, leveraging his country’s influence over energy markets and diplomatic relationships with both the West and Russia. With global energy prices at stake, Saudi Arabia’s stance on Ukraine could have significant implications for oil markets and broader US-Saudi relations.
Rubio’s meeting with MBS is expected to cover several key topics:
Ukraine Conflict and Saudi Mediation Efforts
Saudi Arabia’s willingness to act as a mediator in peace negotiations.
Potential financial or military assistance from Saudi Arabia to Ukraine.
The future of US arms sales to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s growing ties with China and Russia.
Oil Market Stability and Energy Security
The impact of OPEC+ decisions on global energy prices.
US concerns over Saudi oil production cuts that could benefit Russia financially.
Iran’s influence in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia’s security partnerships.
G7 Meeting in Canada: A Test for US Leadership on Ukraine
Following his visit to Saudi Arabia, Rubio will head to Canada for the G7 foreign ministers’ summit from March 12-14. The G7 meeting will likely serve as a litmus test for the US commitment to Ukraine under Trump’s administration.
European allies, including Germany, France, and the UK, have expressed concern over Trump’s pause on military aid and its impact on the war. The European Union has already stepped up its own military assistance, but many fear that without strong US backing, Ukraine could struggle to defend against intensified Russian offensives.
Finding alternative solutions for Ukraine’s military needs if US aid remains paused.
Economic sanctions on Russia and tightening enforcement to restrict Russian war funding.
A potential diplomatic framework for ending the war, though major disagreements remain on what peace terms should look like.
The halt in US military aid has left Ukraine in an increasingly vulnerable position, and Zelenskiy is seeking new diplomatic partnerships to compensate for the loss of direct US support. His visit to Saudi Arabia underscores the importance of Middle Eastern alliances, as Ukraine explores alternative sources of funding, weapons, and political backing.
Rubio’s trip is being closely watched as a signal of how the Trump administration will handle foreign policy moving forward. Will the US re-engage with Ukraine, or will it continue to distance itself from the conflict? The answers will shape not only the future of US-Ukraine relations but also the global geopolitical landscape.
With both the Saudi and G7 meetings approaching, Rubio faces a delicate balancing act—reassuring allies of America’s commitment to global stability while also navigating the Trump administration’s desire to end the war through diplomatic means rather than military support.
