US won’t back down from push to end Ukraine war - US Secretary Rubio
Photo: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Getty Images)
The United States will continue working to end the war in Ukraine and will not abandon this commitment, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Read also: 'For the first time I'm saying that': Trump hints at breakthrough in Ukraine peace talks
At the same time, Rubio noted that Russia remains capable of achieving its initial strategic objectives in the war despite significant losses. Moreover, he believes Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s war aims have shifted, and that he now seeks to seize only the remaining 20% of the Donetsk region not yet occupied by Russian forces.
“We’ll continue to search for ways to see if there is a solution to that unique problem that’s acceptable to Ukraine and that Russia will also accept,” Rubio said.
US peace plan and negotiations
Last November, Washington proposed a 28-point peace plan for Ukraine that included significant concessions to Russia. The proposal was immediately criticized by Kyiv and European partners.
Ukraine and European countries later held a series of meetings to revise the document, reducing it to about 20 points and making it more acceptable to Kyiv. Discussions continued with the participation of Ukraine, the US, and Europe, while American officials also consulted in Moscow.
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the plan is about 90% complete in terms of security guarantees. However, key disputes remain over territorial issues and the status of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Russia insists on full control over Donbas and the plant, while Ukraine категорically rejects these demands.
The latest round of talks between Ukraine, the US, and Russia took place on February 4–5 in Abu Dhabi.
On February 13, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that the next meeting is scheduled for February 17–18. Ukrainian presidential communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn confirmed preparations for the new round of negotiations.
