This week is poised to be pivotal for negotiations surrounding the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The United States is currently deliberating on its continued involvement in the diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the situation.
Diplomatic efforts and Trump’s stance
Rubio highlighted that former President Donald Trump has refrained from imposing new sanctions on Russia, signifying his belief that diplomacy could ultimately bring about an end to the war. Trump’s comments came following a brief meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Vatican, just before the funeral of Pope Francis.
“I think Zelensky is willing to give up Crimea to Russia as part of a peace deal,” said Trump, despite Ukraine’s prior resistance to such proposals.
During an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, Rubio shared insights into the delicate nature of the negotiations, stating, “There are reasons to be optimistic, but there are reasons to be realistic. We’re close, but we’re not close enough.” Rubio emphasized the importance of understanding both sides’ willingness for peace after 90 days of sustained diplomatic efforts.
Responses to potential territorial concessions
In light of the ongoing discussions, Rubio expressed caution regarding the imposition of penalties on Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting that such actions could hinder diplomatic efforts. Trump also cast doubt on whether Putin is genuinely interested in ceasing hostilities, expressing that it might require a different approach, possibly involving banking or secondary sanctions.
Meanwhile, during a recent press interaction, Trump reiterated his belief that Zelensky appeared more composed than during their previous encounter at the White House earlier this year. As the dialogues continue, Ukraine has consistently rejected any notion of territorial concessions, asserting that discussions about land should follow an established ceasefire.
In other developments, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius cautioned against Ukraine accepting a peace deal that entails significant territorial losses. He advised that Ukraine should resist proposals that amount to capitulation, suggesting that Kyiv might have to concede some territory for a truce, but not as extensively as what has been proposed by Trump.
Details of the latest U.S. plan reportedly suggest that Ukraine may be asked to surrender significant territories, including Crimea. However, both European and Ukrainian proposals indicate that the fate of occupied territories should only be addressed after a ceasefire is achieved.
As the situation evolves, the U.S. is contemplating a withdrawal from negotiations if substantial progress is not made. The conflict, which escalated dramatically following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has resulted in Russian control over nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory.