Ukraine Must Consider Territorial Concessions for Peace, Rubio States
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Ukraine must concede territory in peace negotiations with Russia. During upcoming talks in Saudi Arabia, he emphasized the need for mutual concessions and recognized the absence of a military solution. He also discussed ongoing U.S. support for Ukraine while considering future military aid depending on Ukraine’s commitment to peace.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Ukraine must consider territorial concessions as a necessary element in any peace agreement to conclude the ongoing conflict with Russia. His comments were made while heading to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for discussions with senior Ukrainian officials. This discussion comes after a recent strained meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which resulted in the cessation of U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
Rubio stated, “The most important thing that we have to leave here with is a strong sense that Ukraine is prepared to do difficult things, like the Russians are going to have to do difficult things to end this conflict or at least pause it in some way, shape or form.” He did not provide a specific outline for potential agreements but stressed the importance of mutual concessions in diplomatic discussions.
Rubio asserted that there is no viable military solution available, emphasizing that it will be challenging for Ukraine to reclaim territory lost since 2014. He remarked, “The Russians can’t conquer all of Ukraine, and obviously it’ll be very difficult for Ukraine in any reasonable time period to sort of force the Russians back all the way to where they were in 2014.” He indicated that future negotiations must clarify what Russia is willing to concede.
The upcoming discussions are expected to focus on military assistance and possibly the controversial proposal regarding Ukrainian natural resources, which had previously been linked to U.S. support. Although there have been adjustments in U.S. intelligence sharing, Rubio maintained that critical information is still being supplied to help Ukraine defend itself against continued Russian threats.
Despite U.S. pressure on Ukraine, there are also indications that sanctions against Russia may be on the table. Rubio indicated that the U.S. seeks to utilize its leverage to bring Russia to negotiations, asserting, “We will not be providing military aid to the Russians.”
In conclusion, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has asserted that Ukraine must be prepared to make territorial concessions in any peace negotiations with Russia. He recognizes the complex dynamics at play, including the importance of mutual concessions and the necessity of understanding Russia’s position. While discussions might cover military assistance and strategies for resuming support, the overarching message remains clear: a collaborative and pragmatic approach from both sides is essential to achieving lasting peace.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
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