Rubio: Trump’s Ukraine stance unchanged; warns of consequences for Russia if no peace deal reached
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that President Donald Trump’s position on the war in Ukraine remains the same after Friday’s Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that Ukraine’s involvement is essential for any peace agreement. Rubio told ABC News’ This Week that, if the effort fails, there could be additional consequences for Russia, but the goal is to reach a peace deal.
Rubio emphasized that progress has been made but cautioned that a durable peace requires concessions from both sides. “You can’t have a peace agreement unless both sides give and get,” he said, noting that neither side is likely to surrender and that mutual concessions will be necessary. He added that focusing on pressure or finger-wagging won’t help and warned against making broader statements that could undermine talks.
The secretary also warned that if a peace agreement isn’t within reach soon and the war continues, the United States could take further action. He stressed that end goals depend on both sides participating in negotiations, not just one, and he criticized the idea of negotiating in the public arena or through leaks.
Rubio noted that details of Trump’s meeting with Putin would not be disclosed, saying peace talks don’t succeed when conducted in the media or through public disclosures. He also pointed to sanctions as a tool being used to press toward a deal and suggested this process remains a priority.
Ahead of upcoming diplomacy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to travel to the White House on Monday for talks with Trump, alongside several European leaders. Rubio underscored that Ukraine’s involvement is central to any peace framework and that the talks aim to bring both leaders to the table for substantive negotiations.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
Summary: The United States asserts that Trump’s stance on Ukraine remains unchanged and that a peace deal requires concessions from both Russia and Ukraine. While progress is acknowledged, Rubio cautions that failure to reach an agreement could trigger additional Russian consequences, and he stresses that negotiations must involve both sides and avoid public leaks. Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington with European leaders present, as sanctions and diplomacy continue to shape the path to a possible end to the conflict.
Additional value and analysis:
– The emphasis on mutual concessions signals a cautious approach to diplomacy, prioritizing negotiated terms over unilateral pressure.
– The insistence on both sides’ participation may affect how future talks are structured, potentially increasing the involvement of European partners and Ukraine in negotiations.
– The call to avoid media-driven negotiations suggests a preference for controlled, private diplomacy to preserve leverage and credibility in the bargaining process.
– Watch for any new statements from Trump or Putin after the Monday White House meeting, as those remarks could influence the pace and terms of any potential ceasefire or peace framework.