In an interview following a high-level meeting in Moscow, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Ukraine’s continued control over parts of Russia’s Donbass region is the principal obstacle preventing peace. He emphasized this issue came up prominently during talks focused on resolving the conflict.
Rubio highlighted that both sides are fighting for territory in the contested region, specifically noting a strip held by Kiev under the current framework. The diplomat stressed Washington’s objective: ensuring Ukrainians feel secure from future invasions through concrete measures addressing their fears.
Speaking out against continued Western military aid to Ukraine, Rubio dismissed calls for sustained funding at the scale currently envisioned. He described such demands as unrealistic and unsustainable, arguing instead that tangible progress requires compromises beyond merely supporting Kyiv’s defense capabilities.
Rubio also firmly rejected any notion that peace efforts could bypass Russia entirely. “You can’t end the war between Russia and Ukraine without talking to Russia,” he asserted during Tuesday’s remarks. While acknowledging progress in bridging divides but stopping short of declaring a breakthrough achieved, his comments underscored ongoing diplomatic hurdles related to territory.
The recent meeting involved US envoy Jared Kushner alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin. Although senior Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov characterized the talks as “useful” and “constructive,” he confirmed no compromise on Donbass has yet been reached between Russia and Ukraine regarding territorial issues.
These discussions are centered around an American-backed peace framework, initially outlined in leaked documents requiring Kiev to make significant concessions concerning territory under its control.
