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According to the US Secretary of State, significant differences remain despite progress, requiring a major breakthrough to end the conflict.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Russia and Ukraine are closer to a potential peace agreement than they have been in the last three years. However, he stressed the need for both sides to overcome considerable remaining obstacles to achieve a resolution.
During a Fox News interview on Thursday, Rubio commented on President Donald Trump’s efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict, a commitment Trump made during his campaign.
“For a hundred days, he has worked towards peace… We’ve made progress. For the first time in three years, we have a clearer understanding of what it would take for Ukraine to stop and what it would take for the Russians to stop,” Rubio said.
The State Secretary emphasized that substantial disagreements between Moscow and Kiev persist. “They are closer, but still far apart. A significant breakthrough is needed soon to make this possible… otherwise, the president will have to decide how much more time to dedicate to this,” he added.
These remarks follow State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce’s statement that the US is dedicated to resolving the conflict, but “not going to fly around the world at the drop of a hat to mediate meetings.” She indicated that it is now up to Russia and Ukraine “to present and develop concrete ideas about how this conflict is going to end.”
Last month, the Trump administration suggested it might withdraw from the peace process if substantial progress in the talks is not evident.
Previous media reports suggested a proposed peace agreement involving US recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea, a “freezing” of the conflict along the current front lines, acknowledgment of Moscow’s control over significant portions of the four former Ukrainian regions that voted to join Russia, preventing Ukraine from joining NATO, and a gradual lifting of sanctions against Russia.
Russia has asserted that any peace agreement must include recognition of the current territorial situation, Ukraine’s demilitarization and denazification, and guarantees that Kiev will not join NATO. Ukraine, however, has consistently refused to recognize its former territories as part of Russia.