Rubio says Ukraine conflict is moving “not in that direction”
In short
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the situation in Ukraine is developing in a direction other than the end of the conflict, speaking to journalists during a visit to Iceland. He said Washington wants to work toward a settlement and play a “constructive role,” and that Ukrainian NATO membership is not on the agenda. Russian outlets reported the remarks in short items without additional detail.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the situation in Ukraine is developing in a direction other than the end of the conflict. “Of course we are following developments there and we see that the movement is not in that direction,” Kommersant quoted him as saying to journalists, citing the Icelandic broadcaster RUV. RIA Novosti and RBC reported the same assessment, saying the situation is not moving toward ending the conflict. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Rubio made the remarks during a visit to Iceland. According to Kommersant, he added that the United States wants to work on settling the conflict and to play a “constructive role” in the process. He said the question of Ukraine’s NATO membership is not on the agenda, “because work must be done to build consensus so that there is a single position.” [ 3 ]
Kommersant reported that Rubio’s assessment stems from his conviction that the sides are pursuing goals that cannot be achieved by military means. In May 2025, the outlet noted, he said Russia was seeking to obtain what it does not have, while Ukraine wanted to regain what it cannot achieve on the battlefield, arguing the outcome should be negotiations rather than a military solution. [ 3 ]
According to Kommersant, Rubio described the practical US role as taking into account both Russia’s position and Ukraine’s interests, and establishing whether the differences between them can be narrowed. The most difficult topics — territorial questions, security guarantees and the wording on Ukraine’s aspirations toward NATO — were deferred for further discussion. The outlet also noted that in February 2025 Rubio said the talks would require the sides to give up some of their demands and take a realistic approach. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The remarks, carried by Russia’s main state and business outlets, signal that Washington continues to describe the conflict as unresolved while presenting itself as a mediator. Rubio’s statement that NATO membership for Ukraine is not currently on the agenda is likely to be read closely by both Moscow and Kyiv, though the documents give no indication of any concrete new negotiating step.
Key facts
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said events in Ukraine are moving “not in that direction,” meaning not toward ending the conflict. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Rubio made the remarks to journalists during a visit to Iceland, according to Kommersant, which cited the Icelandic broadcaster RUV. [ 3 ]
- Rubio said the United States wants to work on settling the conflict and to play a “constructive role.” [ 3 ]
- According to Rubio, the question of Ukraine’s NATO membership is not on the agenda because consensus must first be built for a single position. [ 3 ]
- Kommersant reported that the hardest issues — territorial questions, security guarantees and wording on Ukraine’s NATO aspirations — were deferred for further discussion. [ 3 ]
- Rubio previously said in May 2025 that Russia seeks what it does not have and Ukraine wants to regain what it cannot obtain on the battlefield, arguing the outcome should be negotiations rather than a military solution. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The documents do not name the city in Iceland where Rubio spoke. Kommersant says only that the remarks were made during a visit to Iceland; no city is given.
- No concrete negotiating proposal, timetable or new meeting is described in any document. All three documents report only Rubio’s assessment and general remarks on the US role.
- Rubio’s earlier statements from May 2025 and February 2025 and the list of deferred topics appear only in Kommersant. These are single-source details not corroborated by the other outlets.