After Trump's Calls For Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire, Rubio Sends US Officials To Malaysia For Peace Negotiations

After United States (US) President Donald Trump's multiple calls for a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced that State Department representatives have arrived in Malaysia to facilitate peace negotiations.

These two nations have been engaged in a military conflict for the previous week. The officials are aiming to negotiate a ceasefire, with discussions set to commence on Monday (28 July).

Rubio announced late Sunday in a State Department statement that he, along with US President Trump and their counterparts from Thailand and Cambodia, are closely observing the developments in Southeast Asia, following a discussion they had.

“We want this conflict to end as soon as possible. State Department officials are on the ground in Malaysia to assist these peace efforts,” Rubio said on Sunday.

The Thai government has announced that the heads of Thailand and Cambodia are set to participate in mediation discussions in Malaysia on Monday to resolve their lethal border dispute. This comes as both nations, embroiled in the conflict, accuse each other of initiating attacks over disputed regions along the border.

The Thai government announced on Sunday that a team, headed by interim Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, would participate in peace discussions. This decision was made following a call from President Trump to the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia on Saturday, urging an immediate halt to hostilities. It was further stated by the Thai government that Cambodian Prime Minister Hum Manet would be present at these discussions, a fact confirmed by Malaysia.

A minor border dispute that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier in the latter part of May has escalated tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. The previous week saw an increase in border troops from both nations, amidst a diplomatic turmoil that nearly led to the downfall of Thailand's already unstable coalition government.

On Sunday, Trump informed the heads of Thailand and Cambodia that he would not finalise any trade agreements with them unless they ceased their conflict and urged 'immediate ceasefire'.