“We’re going to engage to ensure (the war) ends in a way that’s sustainable,” Rubio told CBS Mornings. “We don’t want it to restart in two, three, or four years. We want stability.”
President Donald Trump, who took office on Monday, promised to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table, aiming to halt the nearly three-year conflict. However, his administration has released few details on how it intends to achieve that goal. Rubio acknowledged that both sides would likely need to make concessions.
“It’s become a stalemate, a protracted and bloody conflict that has hurt both countries,” Rubio said, adding that Russia initiated the war but now faces heavy costs, just as Ukraine does.
“Ukraine pays the biggest price”
The secretary of state stressed the severe toll on Ukraine, from damaged energy infrastructure to millions of refugees scattered around the world. Although Trump has long asserted he could have prevented the full-scale invasion—were he in office at the time—and vowed a swift resolution, Rubio indicated a clear timeframe remains elusive.
“Our priority, and the policy of the United States, is to end this war,” he said, sidestepping questions about the 24-hour deadline Trump once promised to broker peace.
In a rare reproach of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump claimed on Friday that Putin is “destroying Russia” by failing to seek a negotiated settlement. Trump also announced plans for a face-to-face meeting with Putin soon, though he conceded uncertainty about whether Moscow’s leader genuinely wants peace.
(jh)
Source: PAP, Kyiv Independent, Al Jazeera