Rubio says US ready to mediate Ukraine talks if circumstances change
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has acknowledged the lack of "a fruitful outcome" in the peace process regarding Ukraine but said the United States remains ready to continue mediating between the Ukrainian and Russian sides if circumstances change.
Source: Rubio speaking in Rome on Friday, as quoted by The Guardian and reported by European Pravda
Details: Rubio noted that the US had attempted to act as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia, but "it has not led to a fruitful outcome for a variety of reasons".
Quote: "We remain prepared to play that role if it can be productive. We don't want to waste our time and invest time and energy on an effort that's not moving forward. But if we see an opportunity to act as a mediator that brings both sides closer to a peace deal, we'd like to see it."
Details: Rubio added that the US views the prolonged war as a tragedy and "both sides are paying very heavy prices for it, both economic and obviously at a human level".
"We're prepared to play whatever role we can to bring it to a peaceful diplomatic resolution; unfortunately … those efforts have stagnated, but we always stand ready if those circumstances change," he said.
Background:
- Rustem Umierov, Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, travelled to the US for talks with negotiators representing US President Donald Trump.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that Umierov had already briefed him on the outcome of the negotiations.
- He added that Ukraine expects representatives of the US president to visit Kyiv at the turn of spring and summer.
- Negotiations on the Russo-Ukrainian war have virtually ground to a halt since the US and Israel began their military campaign against Iran. An anticipated visit to Kyiv by Trump's negotiators "after Orthodox Easter" never took place.
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