US wants to determine what Ukraine and Russia willing to agree to in order to end war - Rubio
Photo: Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State (Getty Images)
American officials, during talks with representatives of Ukraine and Russia, are trying to determine what the parties are willing to agree to in order to achieve peace, according to a briefing by the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rubio noted that US President Donald Trump has held more meetings with foreign leaders and other officials on the war in Ukraine than on any other issue, including trade. US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and others, have devoted a tremendous amount of time and energy to the peace talks.
"What we’re trying to figure out here is: What can Ukraine live with and what can Russia live with, sort of identify what both sides’ positions are, and see if we can sort of drive them towards each other to some agreement," the Secretary of State explained.
He recalled that wars usually end in one of two ways: either through the capitulation of one side or through diplomacy.
"We don't see surrender anytime in the near future, so only a negotiated settlement gives us the opportunity to end this war," Rubio emphasized.
According to him, a diplomatic settlement requires that both sides "get something out of it and both sides give something."
"We're trying to figure out what can Russia give and what do they expect to get. What can Ukraine give and what can Ukraine expect to get. In the end, the decision will be up to Ukraine and up to Russia. It will not be up to the United States," the Secretary of State said.
The US Secretary of State also stressed that this is not about imposing an agreement on anyone, but about determining what both sides expect and what they need to receive, what they are willing to give in return, and whether these interests can be reconciled. This requires a lot of time and tremendous effort.
Territorial issue
The most sensitive issue in peace talks between Ukraine and the US remains territorial control.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that positions on territories with the US are still different.
At the same time, Western media, citing sources, report that the US wants Ukraine to agree to cede control of Donbas to Russia in exchange for a peace settlement.
