RIYADH — Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday. During the meeting, the Crown Prince welcomed Rubio and his accompanying delegation on their visit to the Kingdom, while Rubio expressed his happiness to visit the Kingdom and meet the Crown Prince. The two leaders reviewed aspects of bilateral relations between the two friendly countries and ways to further enhance and develop them in various fields. They discussed the latest regional and international developments. They also exchanged views on these developments as well as on the efforts made to address them so as to achieve security and stability. The reception was also attended by Saudi Ambassador to the United States Princess Reema bint Bandar, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of State, Cabinet Member and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed Al-Aiban, and Secretary to the Crown Prince Dr. Bandar Al-Rasheed. On the American side, the meeting was attended by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy Alison Dilworth, US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Androbek, Advisor to the Secretary of State Michael Needham, Director of Policy and Planning Michael Anton, and Senior Advisor Juan Varela. Earlier on the day, Rubio had met with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan, at the Saudi foreign ministry's headquarters in Riyadh. Rubio and Prince Faisal discussed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international developments. Rubio's first visit to the Kingdom after assuming office as US Secretary of State also aimed to prepare for the US-Russian talks on Ukraine on Tuesday to finalize details of the anticipated summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This follows the two leaders' agreement to hold a peace summit on Ukraine, in the presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff have arrived in Riyadh Monday where they will join Rubio for talks with a Russian delegation. According to the Kremlin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Yuri Ushakov, a foreign policy advisor to President Vladimir Putin, will attend Tuesday's meeting in Riyadh
