Rubio says there are currently no prospects for a negotiated settlement in Ukraine
In short
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview with a Greek publication that there are currently no prospects for a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, Russian outlets reported on October 8. He said the United States is ready to play any possible role in reaching one, and voiced concern that the conflict could escalate.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there are currently no prospects for a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, in an interview with a Greek publication reported by Russian outlets on October 8. "Right now, it seems, there are no prospects for a negotiated settlement. We are ready to play any possible role in making it happen. We have tried to do this before, but so far it has not been achieved," Rubio said, as quoted by RIA Novosti and Vedomosti. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
RBC reported that Rubio said Russia and Ukraine are in a "strategic stalemate" that could be resolved either through negotiations or through escalation. Rubio also expressed concern about escalation. "The whole world fears that the situation may worsen and that perhaps the conflict will expand," he said, according to Interfax. Interfax quoted him as saying the US is ready "to play the role of mediator and continue searching for opportunities for a diplomatic settlement of the conflict", while Vedomosti reported that he said the US remains ready to help reach a peaceful settlement and continues to study the prospects for one. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
According to Vedomosti, Rubio added that the Ukrainian side rejects Russia's demands to hand over the territories of the DNR and LNR. [ 2 ]
The outlets differ on where the interview appeared. Vedomosti named the Greek outlet Hellas Journal, Interfax said the remarks were reported by Kathimerini, and RIA Novosti referred only to a Greek publication. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Vedomosti placed the remarks alongside earlier statements. On October 7, US President Donald Trump said he was continuing to work on settling the Ukraine conflict and expected it to be achieved soon. On September 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Ukrainian side had broken off talks in Istanbul a couple of weeks before the State Duma elections, and that Kyiv had attempted a massive strike on Moscow on the night of September 19 to 20, the main day of voting. "After everything they have done, we will still think carefully about what we need to do in response," Putin said, adding that all decisions, including a possible resumption of negotiations, would be made based on Russia's interests. On October 1, Putin called proposals for a mutual halt to strikes on facilities in Russia and Ukraine while sanctions remain in place illogical, and said Moscow is ready for negotiations only on terms that benefit it. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The remarks from the top US diplomat signal that Washington sees no near-term path to talks, as reported by Russia's main state and business outlets. According to Vedomosti, they come a day after President Trump said he expected a settlement soon, and after Russian President Putin said Moscow would negotiate only on terms favourable to it.
Key facts
- Marco Rubio said there are currently no prospects for a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Rubio made the remarks in an interview with a Greek publication. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Rubio said the US is ready to play any possible role in reaching a settlement, and that earlier attempts had not succeeded. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Rubio expressed concern about a possible escalation of the conflict. [ 2 , 4 ]
- RBC reported Rubio described Russia and Ukraine as being in a "strategic stalemate" that could be resolved either by negotiations or by escalation. [ 3 ]
- Vedomosti reported Rubio said the Ukrainian side rejects Russia's demands to hand over the territories of the DNR and LNR. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Rubio said there are currently no prospects for a negotiated settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Rubio said the US is ready to play a role in reaching a settlement. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The remarks were made in an interview with a Greek publication. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- Rubio expressed concern about escalation of the conflict. [ 2 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Which Greek outlet published the interview. Vedomosti names Hellas Journal, Interfax cites Kathimerini, and RIA Novosti does not name the outlet.
- Rubio's description of a "strategic stalemate" between Russia and Ukraine. Reported only by RBC, and only in its feed summary.
- Rubio's statement that Ukraine rejects Russia's demands to hand over the DNR and LNR territories. Reported only by Vedomosti.