US Secretary of State Marco Rubio signalled that the Trump administration might restore military assistance and intelligence assistance to Ukraine—if its leaders can show strong support for the peace process at a critical meeting in Saudi Arabia between top US and Ukrainian officials on Tuesday.
Addressing journalists upon his arrival in Jeddah on Monday, Rubio said US aid had been suspended because of fears that Ukraine was not committed enough to bringing an end to the three-year war ignited by Russia's 2022 invasion, The Washington Post reported. But he intimated that a change of heart by Ukraine could reverse policy.
"My expectation is that tomorrow's conversations will be fruitful and lead us to a good place," he said.
The Trump administration had already suspended all aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine after a heated standoff between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US leaders—President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.
Throughout the exchange, Trump and Vance forcefully underscored the significance of US aid to Ukraine and insisted again and again on recognition and appreciation for US help.
President Joe Biden had similarly vented frustrations at Zelensky in a frank telephone call in 2022, several months after the invasion and the ensuing US aid campaign. While Zelensky publicly thanked the United States only hours after that call, he waited days to show the same gratitude to the Trump administration.
Only moments before Trump was about to give his first address of his second term to Congress, Zelensky made a post on X, describing the situation as "regrettable" and emphasizing Ukraine's preparedness for negotiations.
No one of us wants an infinite war," wrote Zelensky. "Ukraine stands ready to negotiate as soon as possible in order to advance closer to sustainable peace. No one wants peace more than Ukrainians. My administration and I stand ready to cooperate under President Trump's great leadership to achieve a long-term solution.
