WASHINGTON, D.C Feb 14 (V7N) – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was forced to return to Washington on Thursday after a mechanical issue grounded his aircraft during his trip to the Munich Security Conference, the State Department confirmed.

Rubio’s plane abruptly turned back toward Joint Base Andrews shortly after departure, according to an AFP reporter on board.

“The plane on which Secretary Rubio is flying experienced a mechanical issue,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement. “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.”

Rubio was scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky alongside US Vice President JD Vance on Friday, following President Donald Trump’s recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin about diplomatic efforts to end the war.

After the Munich Security Conference, Rubio is set to visit Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the fragile Gaza ceasefire. His trip will also include discussions on a controversial proposal by President Trump regarding the displacement of Palestinian residents from Gaza, which has sparked backlash across the region.

Mechanical issues have periodically disrupted travel for top US diplomats, as the government continues to rely on an aging fleet of aircraft for official travel.

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