Rubio reveals US response plans if Russia rejects ceasefire
Photo: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Getty Images)
The USA does not rule out the possibility that Russia may refuse to ceasefire in Ukraine. In this case, "it'll tell us a lot about what their goals are," says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a briefing in Ireland.
Rubio emphasized that the goal of US President Donald Trump is to establish peace not just for "30 or 60 days, but permanently," and for this, "both sides have to come to the table."
"If they (Russia - ed.) say 'no,' then obviously we'll have to examine everything and sort of figure out where we stand in the world and what their true intentions are. If they say no, it'll tell us a lot about what their goals are and what their mindset is," he noted.
Rubio added that during the last meeting with the Russians, the U.S. asked whether they wanted to end the war or continue it until certain goals were achieved, and they expressed willingness to end the war.
"No one is pretending that these negotiations are going to be easy, or fast. or simple," the US Secretary of State concluded.
US and Ukraine negotiations: ceasefire
The question of introducing a 30-day ceasefire regime was agreed upon during a meeting of Ukrainian and American delegations in Saudi Arabia on March 11.
Currently, no similar agreement has been reached with Russia. The Kremlin is currently studying the statements made during the US-Ukraine meeting. A meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump is also not ruled out.
Additionally, Rubio previously clarified that the US would contact the Russians on this matter on March 12.
