Rubio assures G7: US to continue negotiations to end war in Ukraine
Photo: Marco Rubio (Getty Images)
On Saturday, February 14, the US Secretary of State met with the foreign ministers of the G7 countries. During the discussions, the American official emphasized that the US is committed to continuing negotiations to bring an end to the war in Ukraine, according to Tommy Pigott, US Deputy State Department spokesperson.
Also read: Trump may walk away from Ukraine negotiations
According to reports, leaders discussed urgent issues, including ongoing conflicts threatening peace and stability in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
The talks also covered challenges to regional security in the Indo-Pacific and the Western Hemisphere.
"The Secretary reiterated the United States’ commitment to promoting stability in Venezuela and negotiating an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. Secretary Rubio and his counterparts reaffirmed the importance of strengthening G7 cooperation to address global threats to international peace and security," said Tommy Pigott, who has begun preparations for a presidential election and a referendum on a peace agreement.
US to quicken war ending
According to the Financial Times, the Trump administration reportedly demanded that both votes be held by May 15; otherwise, Kyiv could lose proposed US security guarantees. Some outlets also reported that Washington might withdraw from negotiations if the war is not resolved by then, citing upcoming US congressional elections and the potential political impact on Republican ratings.
Additionally, Reuters reported that Ukraine and the US discussed the possibility of concluding a peace deal with Russia as early as March.
Sources in the Office of the President denied that election and referendum preparations had begun. However, President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly stated that the US wants the war in Ukraine to end by June.
He also indicated in recent days that a referendum on a peace agreement could take place in the coming months and added that the country is ready to hold elections if the US guarantees a two-month ceasefire.
The third round of trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the US, and Russia is scheduled to take place in Geneva on February 17–18.
According to Zelenskyy, the talks will cover how a monitoring mission would operate in the event of a ceasefire. Kyiv also plans to raise the issue of a new energy-related truce.
