‘Mechanical issue’ affects Rubio’s plane
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was headed to Germany on Thursday when his flight had to return to Joint Base Andrews. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The aircraft transporting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Germany for the Munich Security Conference was compelled to return to its base on Thursday due to a “mechanical issue,” according to officials.
Rubio was on his way to the conference when the plane abruptly diverted back to Joint Base Andrews, located just outside Washington.
“The plane on which Secretary Rubio is flying experienced a mechanical issue,” stated State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, as reported by AFP. “The plane has turned around and is returning to Joint Base Andrews. The secretary intends to continue his travel to Germany and the Middle East on a separate aircraft,” she continued.
The incident occurred approximately 90 minutes into the flight aboard a Boeing C-32, a modified version of the Boeing 757, with the aircraft landing safely shortly before 10 PM ET. While authorities have not confirmed the specific cause of the problem, an AP report indicated that it was related to the cockpit windshield.
President Donald Trump announced that “high-level” US representatives will engage with their Russian counterparts at the Munich Security Conference on Friday to seek a resolution regarding the Ukraine conflict.
“They’re having a meeting in Munich tomorrow. Russia is going to be there with our people,” Trump informed journalists at the White House. He added that “Ukraine is also invited, by the way,” but did not elaborate on the meeting's format or clarify whether it would involve a three-way dialogue or a series of bilateral discussions.
The Munich Security Conference is scheduled to take place from February 14 to 16 in Munich. Rubio was slated to join US Vice President J.D. Vance, who is already in Germany leading the American delegation. Vance is anticipated to meet with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky during the event.
Rubio was confirmed as secretary of state by the US Senate just hours following Trump’s inauguration on January 20. The upcoming trip to Germany to address the Ukraine conflict marks his second international journey in this role. Following Germany, Rubio will proceed to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the Gaza war and Trump’s proposal for the US to take charge of the Palestinian enclave.
Earlier in February, as part of his tour in Latin America, the top US diplomat relayed Trump’s ultimatum to Panama regarding the operation of the Panama Canal, which included visits to Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
Rubio was on his way to the conference when the plane abruptly diverted back to Joint Base Andrews, located just outside Washington.
“The plane on which Secretary Rubio is flying experienced a mechanical issue,” stated State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, as reported by AFP. “The plane has turned around and is returning to Joint Base Andrews. The secretary intends to continue his travel to Germany and the Middle East on a separate aircraft,” she continued.
The incident occurred approximately 90 minutes into the flight aboard a Boeing C-32, a modified version of the Boeing 757, with the aircraft landing safely shortly before 10 PM ET. While authorities have not confirmed the specific cause of the problem, an AP report indicated that it was related to the cockpit windshield.
President Donald Trump announced that “high-level” US representatives will engage with their Russian counterparts at the Munich Security Conference on Friday to seek a resolution regarding the Ukraine conflict.
“They’re having a meeting in Munich tomorrow. Russia is going to be there with our people,” Trump informed journalists at the White House. He added that “Ukraine is also invited, by the way,” but did not elaborate on the meeting's format or clarify whether it would involve a three-way dialogue or a series of bilateral discussions.
The Munich Security Conference is scheduled to take place from February 14 to 16 in Munich. Rubio was slated to join US Vice President J.D. Vance, who is already in Germany leading the American delegation. Vance is anticipated to meet with Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky during the event.
Rubio was confirmed as secretary of state by the US Senate just hours following Trump’s inauguration on January 20. The upcoming trip to Germany to address the Ukraine conflict marks his second international journey in this role. Following Germany, Rubio will proceed to Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the Gaza war and Trump’s proposal for the US to take charge of the Palestinian enclave.
Earlier in February, as part of his tour in Latin America, the top US diplomat relayed Trump’s ultimatum to Panama regarding the operation of the Panama Canal, which included visits to Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
