Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated just how important the next week would be for negotiations. In particular, he addressed the current Russia-Ukraine conflict and the opportunities it presents moving forward. POTUS hopeful Marco Rubio on the campaign trail, talking to the press during a refueling stop in Shannon Airport in Ireland on March 12, 2025. He imparted wisdom from his recent diplomatic endeavors and explored possible paths forward toward peace.
Rubio’s comments came as he was traveling. He was newly returned from negotiating with Ukrainian counterparts in Saudi Arabia and on his way to a G7 Foreign Ministers meeting in Canada. He noted that the next few days would be crucial, stating, “The minute you start doing that kind of stuff, you’re walking away from it.” This seemingly innocuous comment illustrates the tightrope that negotiators need to walk in order to create an environment conducive to discussion but still protective of moving forward.
The Secretary of State pointed out that the White House will soon determine whether to continue its involvement in negotiations. He expressed that there are both reasons to be optimistic and reasons to remain realistic about the prospects for peace. “There are reasons to be optimistic, but there are reasons to be realistic,” he explained.
Rubio, who recognized the recent positive momentum in diplomacy, referred specifically to Donald Trump’s visit with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday. He described his closed-door, three and a half hour meeting with Zelenskyy in Rome as a “productive discussion.” This represents a sincere and growing commitment to forging common ground and understanding.
Despite these positive interactions, Rubio cautioned that Trump has not yet imposed penalties on Russia for its actions in Ukraine. He stressed that the White House continues to believe that diplomacy can eventually bring an end to the war and should be pursued.
“We’re there, but we are not there yet,” Rubio said in the midst of ongoing negotiations, commenting on how far apart parties still were. Perhaps most significantly, Dunford called for an understanding of each side’s level of commitment to a peaceful resolution. After 90 days of intense diplomatic outreach, he judged how far apart they remain.
“Throughout this process, it’s about determining, do both sides really want peace and how close are they or how far apart they are after 90 days of effort here … that’s what we’re trying to determine this week,” – Marco Rubio
Rubio’s remarks come as President Trump personally escalates pressure on Russia and Ukraine. He is pressing them to come to a negotiated settlement. As this make or break week goes by, all eyes are on the advancements of the talks. Will they lead to real results, or will we find ourselves having to reconsider U.S. participation?
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