Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed uncertainty about Russia’s seriousness in achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine, stating that answers should become apparent in a matter of weeks. Questions have arisen over Moscow’s true intentions after rejecting a 30-day ceasefire proposed by Ukraine and refusing to agree to a Black Sea ceasefire unless sanctions were lifted. Rubio emphasized that President Trump is not interested in falling into the trap of endless negotiations about negotiations, and stressed the need for progress towards peace.
Rubio refrained from commenting on the conditions Russia has set out for securing a peace deal, but highlighted that official readouts of direct calls between foreign leaders do not always accurately reflect what was discussed. This was evidenced by a call between President Trump and Putin, where the White House claimed Russia had agreed to eliminate the use of force in the Black Sea, a statement later contradicted by the Kremlin. Rubio acknowledged that reaching peace will require concessions from both Ukraine and Russia, but declined to specify what those concessions should be, insisting that they should emerge through negotiations.
Despite acknowledging that the path to peace will be difficult, Rubio expressed optimism and emphasized the need for progress after the lack of dialogue with Russia for some time. He noted that while some signs are promising, others are troubling, indicating that the process will not be easy. Rubio remains hopeful about the prospect of a ceasefire in Ukraine, stating that moving towards peace will be a significant development. He stressed the importance of determining whether Russia is genuinely committed to peace or if their actions are merely delay tactics.
Rubio reiterated the necessity for both Ukraine and Russia to make concessions in order to end the ongoing conflict, while also emphasizing the importance of progress in negotiations. He expressed hopefulness about the potential for peace in Ukraine, highlighting the challenging nature of the peace process but remaining optimistic about the possibilities. Rubio emphasized the need to move past the initial stage of talks with Russia and focus on making tangible progress towards achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine. He underscored the importance of determining Russia’s true intentions in the coming weeks and expressed confidence that the situation will become clearer with time.
