A US aircraft carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio was diverted back to Joint Base Andrews in Washington after it developed mechanical issues. The plane was en route to Munich, where a security conference was being held, when it turned back.
Though the trip was rescheduled, it raised concerns about whether Rubio would make it on time for the conference, which will see a meeting between Ukrainian President Vlodomyr Zelenskyy and US vice-president J D Vance. The meeting with the Russians was also expected to take place on the sidelines of the event.
🚨🇺🇸USAF BOEING C-40
— Todd Paron🇺🇸🇬🇷🎧👽 (@tparon) February 14, 2025
Clipper ATC audio, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s first flight to 🇩🇪Munich. Germany has to return to camp Springs DC after large crack in the cockpit windshield they made it back safely and switched planes and headed back to Germany..,. pic.twitter.com/5uawfcIKPQ
The plane was airbound for 90 minutes before it decided to return to Washington. It landed there just before 10 p.m. EST. According to the US media, the plane suffered mechanical issues related to the cockpit windshield. Rubio was onboard a C-32 converted from Boeing 757.
The secretary of state will continue his travel to Germany and the Middle East on a different aircraft, his spokesperson said, but mentioned nothing about whether he would arrive there on time for the conference.
However, Trump has not clearly mentioned whether Rubio would attend the talks with Russian diplomats but stated that the meeting will involve "high-level" representatives.
"They’re having a meeting in Munich tomorrow. Russia is going to be there with our people," Trump told journalists. He added that "Ukraine was also invited to the meeting. "Not sure exactly who’s going to be there from any country, but high-level people from Russia, from Ukraine, and from the United States," the US leader added.
The US President however did not specify the format of the meeting or clarify whether it would be a three-way dialogue or a series of bilateral talks.
The Munich Security Conference scheduled to happen from February 14 to 16 in Munich will see 60 other world leaders and decision-makers besides J D Vance and Zelenskyy. The meet will see American officials laid down a broad path forward on Ukraine.
