Rubio cancels London trip after Zelenskyy rejects key US proposal – CNN
Photo: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Getty Images)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio withdrew from talks on Ukraine in London on April 23. The reason was President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's refusal to recognize Crimea as Russian, reports CNN.
According to an American outlet, Rubio skipped the London meeting because Ukraine made it clear it would reject a key component of the Trump administration’s peace plan.
A well-informed official told the media that the US proposal includes recognizing Crimea as part of Russia. According to the source, this would also lead to a ceasefire along the front line.
On Tuesday, April 22, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made it clear that he is open to negotiations with Russia, but Ukraine will not accept any agreement that recognizes Moscow’s control over Crimea.
"Ukraine will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea. There is nothing to talk about. It is against our constitution," Zelenskyy emphasized.
Ahead of the London meeting, it became known that Rubio would not attend the talks. However, the Secretary of State held a phone call with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. In a post on X, Rubio stated he had a "productive conversation" with Lammy and expressed hope for further discussions with the UK and Ukraine in the future.
Ukraine talks in London
Today, April 23, a meeting was scheduled to take place in London with representatives from Ukraine, the UK, the US, France, and Germany. According to President Zelenskyy, the talks were intended to focus on achieving a ceasefire.
As reported by Western media, the US planned to present its peace plan in London. The plan consists of seven points and, notably, includes a proposal to recognize Crimea as Russian. Zelenskyy has repeatedly emphasized that Ukraine will not abandon occupied territories or recognize them as part of Russia.
On the morning of April 23, Sky News reported that the meeting of foreign ministers in London had been postponed, and that the talks would instead take place at the level of senior officials.
