In a recent interview with Fox Business Network’s Larry Kudlow, Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the latest developments in the ongoing discussions aimed at bringing an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine. The discussions follow a productive meeting held by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Rubio emphasized that the primary goal is to end the conflict, revealing that Witkoff’s discussions with Putin included important ideas on how to move forward. “The President wants to end the war,” Rubio stated, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to finding a solution. Following Witkoff’s meeting, President Trump convened various European leaders to update them on the talks and strategize next steps.
Rubio hinted at the potential for a significant meeting involving Trump, Putin, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, should progress continue. However, he cautioned that several challenges remain before such a meeting could be fruitful. “I think for the deal – if there’s going to be a deal to end this war, it will have to require the President to come in at the end and close on it,” he said.
Addressing questions about what “ending the war” means for Putin, Rubio pointed out that a ceasefire would be essential to facilitate negotiations toward a final peace agreement. “It’s hard to negotiate details of a final peace agreement while you’re shooting at each other,” Rubio explained. He acknowledged the complexities involved, including the need for territorial concessions from both sides—a particularly sensitive issue given the significant sacrifices made on both the Ukrainian and Russian sides.
Rubio expressed cautious optimism about the recent developments, stating, “Today was a good day, but there’s a lot of work to be done.” He also confirmed that Ambassador Witkoff is returning with a ceasefire proposal, although he did not provide specifics about the timing or details of this proposal.
As the world watches, the path toward peace remains fraught with difficulty. However, with diplomatic efforts steadily progressing, there is hope that meaningful discussions will pave the way for a resolution to this enduring conflict.
