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A plane transporting Secretary of State Marco Rubio, en route to Munich, Germany, had to make an unexpected return to Maryland on Thursday night due to a mechanical issue. According to officials, the aircraft, a modified Boeing 757 known as a C-32, experienced difficulties approximately 90 minutes after takeoff.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed in a statement that the flight returned to Joint Base Andrews just before 10 p.m. ET. She assured that the Secretary plans to continue his journey to Germany and the Middle East using a different aircraft. Bruce was also on board during the incident and noted that all onboard landed safely.
Additional information provided by an official to The Associated Press indicated that the problem was related to the cockpit windshield, but further specifics were not disclosed.
Joining Rubio on this trip is Republican Senator James Risch from Idaho. Rubio is scheduled to participate in the Munich Security Conference, which kicks off on Friday. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance is also expected at the conference but traveled separately.
During the Munich Security Conference, Rubio and Vance are anticipated to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This encounter follows comments from both President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth regarding potential negotiations with Russia aimed at concluding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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www.cbsnews.com