US gains 'better understanding' of Russia's position on Ukraine, says Rubio
The recent series of discussions between Washington and Moscow has provided clarity on the Kremlin’s stance, according to the US Secretary of State. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on Wednesday in an interview with The Free Press...
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The recent series of discussions between Washington and Moscow has provided clarity on the Kremlin’s stance, according to the US Secretary of State.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on Wednesday in an interview with The Free Press that the recent bilateral talks have led to a significantly better understanding of Russia's position regarding the Ukraine conflict.
Rubio remarked, “We have a better understanding of that now because we’ve actually spoken to them after three years of not speaking to them.”
Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, relations between Moscow and Washington deteriorated severely during Joe Biden's presidency. However, since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has sought to move away from Biden-era policies, advocating for a swift resolution to the conflict and a renewal of diplomatic relations. In recent months, both nations have engaged in several rounds of high-level discussions.
Expressing optimism about a potential peace agreement, Rubio stressed that there is “no military end” to the ongoing confrontations.
“We have to be frank. Russia’s not just going to roll over Ukraine and take the whole country. And Ukraine’s not going to push them all the way back to where they were before 2014,” he added.
Rubio emphasized, “We’ve done our best. This is not our war. We didn’t start this war. We’re trying to help everybody end it,” expressing his desire to help “bring the two sides closer.”
Although Rubio was scheduled to attend a high-level Ukraine meeting in London on Wednesday with diplomats from the UK, US, France, Germany, and Ukraine, he and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff ultimately chose to skip the event. The UK Foreign Office later notified AFP that the foreign ministers' meeting had been postponed indefinitely, while confirming that “official level talks” will continue behind closed doors.
In a bid to resolve the Ukraine conflict, Washington was rumored to be preparing a “final offer” to present in London. This proposal would recognize Crimea as Russian “de jure” and acknowledge Moscow’s control over the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. The plan reportedly also suggested lifting some sanctions against Russia and opposing NATO membership for Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Vladimir Zelensky dismissed any talks of recognizing Crimea as Russian. Trump cautioned on Wednesday that Zelensky risks losing the entire country if he continues to delay negotiations.
Moscow has insisted that the status of Crimea, which became part of Russia in 2014 following a referendum held after a Western-backed coup in Kiev, along with the four former Ukrainian regions that voted to join Russia in 2022, is non-negotiable. Russian officials maintain that any peace agreement must tackle the "root causes" of the conflict. President Vladimir Putin has indicated that a sustainable ceasefire would require Western nations to halt arms supplies to Ukraine.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on Wednesday in an interview with The Free Press that the recent bilateral talks have led to a significantly better understanding of Russia's position regarding the Ukraine conflict.
Rubio remarked, “We have a better understanding of that now because we’ve actually spoken to them after three years of not speaking to them.”
Following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, relations between Moscow and Washington deteriorated severely during Joe Biden's presidency. However, since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has sought to move away from Biden-era policies, advocating for a swift resolution to the conflict and a renewal of diplomatic relations. In recent months, both nations have engaged in several rounds of high-level discussions.
Expressing optimism about a potential peace agreement, Rubio stressed that there is “no military end” to the ongoing confrontations.
“We have to be frank. Russia’s not just going to roll over Ukraine and take the whole country. And Ukraine’s not going to push them all the way back to where they were before 2014,” he added.
Rubio emphasized, “We’ve done our best. This is not our war. We didn’t start this war. We’re trying to help everybody end it,” expressing his desire to help “bring the two sides closer.”
Although Rubio was scheduled to attend a high-level Ukraine meeting in London on Wednesday with diplomats from the UK, US, France, Germany, and Ukraine, he and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff ultimately chose to skip the event. The UK Foreign Office later notified AFP that the foreign ministers' meeting had been postponed indefinitely, while confirming that “official level talks” will continue behind closed doors.
In a bid to resolve the Ukraine conflict, Washington was rumored to be preparing a “final offer” to present in London. This proposal would recognize Crimea as Russian “de jure” and acknowledge Moscow’s control over the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics, as well as the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. The plan reportedly also suggested lifting some sanctions against Russia and opposing NATO membership for Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Vladimir Zelensky dismissed any talks of recognizing Crimea as Russian. Trump cautioned on Wednesday that Zelensky risks losing the entire country if he continues to delay negotiations.
Moscow has insisted that the status of Crimea, which became part of Russia in 2014 following a referendum held after a Western-backed coup in Kiev, along with the four former Ukrainian regions that voted to join Russia in 2022, is non-negotiable. Russian officials maintain that any peace agreement must tackle the "root causes" of the conflict. President Vladimir Putin has indicated that a sustainable ceasefire would require Western nations to halt arms supplies to Ukraine.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
