Rubio, Zelenskyy meet in Munich ahead of talks with Russia in Geneva

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, saying President Donald Trump “wants a solution that ends the bloodshed once and for all.”

“Meeting with Ukrainian President @ZelenskyyUa about Ukraine’s security and deepening defense and economic partnerships,” Rubio wrote in an X post in which he shared a photo of himself shaking the Ukrainian leader’s hand. “President Trump wants a solution that ends the bloodshed once and for all.”

Earlier Saturday, Zelensky revealed he had spoken with Rubio and Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner ahead of the talks in Geneva, which his government hopes will be “really productive.”

“I had a conversation with President Trump’s envoys @stevewitkoff and @JaredKushner, before the trilateral meetings in Geneva,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. “We hope that the meetings will be really productive.”

US OFFICIALS MAKE PROGRESS IN TALKS TO ACHIEVE “DURABLE, LASTING PEACE” BETWEEN UKRAINE AND RUSSIA

Marco Rubio shakes hands with Zelesnkyy on Saturday at the Munich Security Conference. (Marco Rubio/X)

Zelensky said they also discussed “some developments following the meetings in Abu Dhabi, which were held at the end of last month and the beginning of this month.”

“Not everything can be shared over the phone and our negotiating team will present Ukraine’s position next week,” added the Ukrainian president.

After the Abu Dhabi talks, Zelensky told reporters that the United States had set a June deadline for Moscow and kyiv to reach a peace deal.

“The Americans are proposing to the parties to end the war by the beginning of summer and will probably put pressure on the parties precisely according to this timetable,” Zelensky said at the time, according to the Associated Press.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaking at the Munich Security Conference. (Kay Nietfeld/photo alliance via Getty Images)

Zelenskyy then added that if the June deadline was not met, the Trump administration would likely pressure Moscow and kyiv to meet.

On Saturday, he also thanked the United States for its “constructive approach” to ending the war.

“We greatly appreciate that America consistently maintains a constructive approach and is ready to contribute to protecting lives,” Zelenskyy wrote. “I thank President Trump, his team, and the American people for their support.”

Rubio also said Saturday that he discussed peace between Ukraine and Russia at the Munich Security Conference with his G7 counterparts.

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“Meeting with my @G7 counterparts in Munich to advance @POTUS’ vision of pursuing peace through strength,” Rubio wrote. “We discussed ongoing efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, promote stability in Venezuela, and confront global threats to achieve international peace and prosperity.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday. (Alex Brandon/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Negotiations between the United States, Russia and Ukraine are expected to begin on Tuesday in Geneva.