Rubio claims US may restore aid to Ukraine

Synopsis

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated that the Trump administration may resume aid and intelligence support to Ukraine if its leaders commit to a peace process during a meeting in Saudi Arabia. This comes after aid was suspended due to perceived lack of commitment from Ukraine in ending the ongoing conflict.

Key Takeaways

US aid to Ukraine may be reinstated.
Commitment to peace process is crucial.
Meeting in Saudi Arabia is pivotal.
Past disputes impacted aid decisions.
Zelensky expresses readiness for negotiations.

Washington, March 11 (NationPress) Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that the Trump administration might reinstate aid and intelligence assistance to Ukraine if the leaders of the war-affected nation show dedication to a peace initiative during a significant meeting of high-ranking officials from both countries in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

Rubio shared with reporters upon his arrival in Jeddah for the discussions that the aid had been halted “because we felt the Ukrainians were not dedicated” to concluding the three-year conflict ignited by the Russian invasion in 2022, as reported by The Washington Post. If their stance changes, so might the US approach.

“I hope for a productive meeting tomorrow that will lead us to a new direction,” he stated.

The Trump administration ceased all US aid and support, including intelligence, to Ukraine following a dispute between Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump along with Vice-President J D Vance.

During this confrontation, strong statements were made, with Trump and Vance particularly vocal about the importance of US backing for Ukraine, repeatedly urging Zelensky to show respect and gratitude.

Former President Joe Biden echoed similar sentiments regarding Zelensky, expressing his frustrations during a tough phone call in 2022, just months after the invasion and the ensuing US support. Zelensky had publicly thanked the US for its assistance shortly thereafter.

However, it took him several days to extend similar sentiments to the Trump administration, where he posted a message expressing “regret” on X just before Trump was set to deliver his inaugural address to Congress.

“None of us desires an unending war,” Zelensky commented. “Ukraine is prepared to engage in negotiations as soon as possible to move closer to lasting peace. No one desires peace more than the Ukrainians. My team and I are ready to collaborate under President Trump’s strong leadership to achieve a sustainable peace.”