Rubio announces a decisive week for peace talks on Ukraine.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that next week could be critical in the negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. In an interview with NBC News, he emphasized that the conflicting parties are now closer to a peace agreement than ever in the last three years.

'Ukraine and Russia are generally closer to a peace agreement than in the last three years. A peace agreement should be reached soon,' Rubio stressed.

According to the high-ranking official, the United States is trying to 'end the war,' which has already cost Americans significant resources and numerous casualties. 'We just want all of this to stop,' the Secretary of State noted.

Rubio also reported that during the next week, the administration of President Donald Trump will evaluate the progress of negotiations and make decisions regarding further U.S. participation in the peace process. He stated that Washington sees both grounds for optimism and reasons for concern regarding the prospects for a peaceful resolution.

Interestingly, the U.S. has refrained from imposing sanctions against Russia in order not to hinder the peace process and to encourage dialogue between the parties. 'Once you start doing such things [imposing sanctions], you step away from this — now you have doomed yourself to another two years of war, and we do not want that to happen... No one else is talking to both sides but us,' Rubio explained.

The Secretary of State also added that the U.S. has leverage over those who might try to disrupt the achievement of a peace agreement.

Earlier, Putin reportedly told Witkoff about his readiness for negotiations with Ukraine.

Analysis

In this news, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio notes that negotiations to end the war in Ukraine could be critically important next week. He also emphasizes that the conflicting parties are now closer to achieving a peace agreement than ever in the last three years. The U.S. administration will assess the progress of negotiations and make decisions regarding the country’s further participation in the peace process. In particular, Washington sees both grounds for optimism and reasons for concern. Rubio also points to the fact that the U.S. has refrained from imposing sanctions against Russia in order not to hinder the peace process and to encourage dialogue between the parties. He believes that the imposition of sanctions could lead to an extension of the war. Rubio calls for efforts to achieve a peace agreement and points out that the U.S. holds leverage over those who might try to disrupt this process.