President Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will represent his administration in Turkey to oversee peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump had previously suggested he might attend the negotiations in Istanbul himself, emphasizing his relentless efforts to end the years-long conflict. On Monday, he mentioned that he would go if he believed it would make a difference. The talks will take place while Trump is on his first major overseas trip of the term, which is focused on the Middle East, Just the News reported.
“Talks are being held in Turkey later this week — probably on Thursday, and they could produce some pretty good results,” Trump said. “Our people are going to be going there, Marco is going to be going there, others are going to be going, and we’ll see if we can get it done.” Rubio was scheduled to attend a NATO meeting in Turkey with other foreign ministers but will also participate in the peace talks. He is accompanying Trump on a trip to the Middle East, which includes stops in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
During a speech in Saudi Arabia, which was his first stop, Trump warned Iran that time was running out on a peace offer. “I have never believed in having permanent enemies. I’m different than a lot of people think. I don’t like permanent enemies, but sometimes you need enemies to do the job, and you have to do it right. Enemies get you motivated. In fact, some of the closest friends of the United States of America—nations we fought wars against in generations past—are now our friends and our allies. I want to make a deal with Iran. If I can, we will make the region and your world a safer place,” Trump said.
“But if Iran’s leadership rejects this olive branch and continues to attack their major diplomatic neighbors, we will have no choice but to inflict maximum pressure, drive Iranian exports to zero, like I did before. They were a virtually bankrupt country because of what I did,” he continued. “They had no money for terror, for Hamas, Hezbollah. We will take all action required to stop the regime from having a nuclear weapon. Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. That’s my promise.”