Trump says Rubio to head to Ukraine talks in Turkey

RIYADH - US President Donald Trump said May 13 that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would participate in talks on the Ukraine war this week in Turkey as he voiced optimism.

“Talks are being held in Turkey later this week, probably on Thursday, and they could be some pretty good results,” Mr Trump said in a speech in Riyadh, adding: “Marco is going to be going there.”

“The West should not be dragging itself backwards into another endless war in Europe,” Mr Trump said.

A State Department official said that Mr Rubio was expected on May 16 in Istanbul.

He will hold talks on May 15 in the Turkish resort city of Antalya for a meeting of Nato foreign ministers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has

dared Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to meet him

in Turkey, saying that if he does not show up, it should show that Moscow is not interested in peace.

Mr Zelensky said he would meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 14 or 15.

Mr Trump said Mr Rubio would also hold talks in Turkey with Syria’s foreign minister.

Mr Trump announced

the lifting of sanctions

on the war-torn country that have remained in place since the toppling of Mr Bashar al-Assad in December. AFP