Patience not 'infinite': Trump may shift stance on Russia-Ukraine peace talks, Rubio warns
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (photo: Getty Images)
Washington continues to pressure Moscow and supply weapons to Ukraine, but the war has no military solution. At the same time, the patience of US President Donald Trump on this matter is not limitless, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, according to the US State Department website.
Read also: Trump’s special envoy reveals one key condition for Ukraine-Russia peace deal
On the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, Secretary Rubio commented on the prospects for peace negotiations and Washington's position.
According to him, the administration of President Trump continues to increase pressure on Russia. In particular, at the end of last year, additional sanctions were imposed against the Russian oil company Rosneft. The United States also continues to sell weapons to Ukraine, providing no military support to Russia and not imposing sanctions against Kyiv.
Rubio stressed that the United States is the only country that has managed to bring Russian and Ukrainian negotiators to the same table. He also claims that no other party, including the United Nations or the European Union, is capable of fulfilling this role, since Russia is not even ready to talk with them.
Trump's position on negotiations
The US Secretary of State emphasized that the war has no military solution and will ultimately be ended through negotiations. At the same time, Rubio acknowledged that Trump's patience is not "infinite," but declined to predict exactly when the White House might change its approach.
According to Rubio, the US president is deeply disappointed that the war continues, calling it "senseless" and "stupid." He noted that 7–8 thousand soldiers die at the front every week, and the destruction in Ukraine is increasing every day, which will have consequences for several generations.
Commenting on the issue of Moscow's responsibility for strikes on civilian infrastructure, Rubio said that it was precisely thanks to US support that Ukraine was able to continue its defense. He recalled American military aid, intelligence support, and sanctions against Russia.
At the same time, the US Secretary of State admitted that despite some progress in negotiations, a number of issues remain very complex, and reaching a final agreement will require significant efforts.
On February 26, peace talks between representatives of Ukraine and the United States are to take place in Geneva. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope that after this dialogue, a meeting of leaders will follow — referring to himself, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and possibly US President Donald Trump.
Washington is also taking the negotiations seriously — Trump gave his negotiators instructions regarding the talks in Geneva. This refers to his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and the US leader's special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
