Rubio says US doubts Ukraine and Russia are close to a negotiated end to the war

In brief

• Marco Rubio said the US does not know whether negotiations can end the war in Ukraine.
• He told G20 foreign ministers in Atlanta that the sides are not on the verge of a deal.
• Rubio said the war cannot be ended by military means alone and cited heavy casualties.

Washington remains unsure a deal can be reached

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he does not know whether peace in Ukraine can be achieved through negotiations, and that finding out is what Washington is trying to determine ("Я не знаю, чи можливий мир": Рубіо розкрив несподівану правду про завершення війни в Україні – TSN). He added that he did not think anyone in the room was claiming the two sides stood at the threshold of a negotiated settlement (США не вважають, що Україна та Росія перебувають на порозі завершення війни, - Рубіо – UNIAN).

Earlier position on a military end

On October 24, Rubio had said the war could not be ended by military means alone. He argued that a diplomatic settlement would require both sides to seek compromise and accept concessions.

Casualties and strikes

Rubio described the conflict as exceptionally bloody. He said Kyiv faces destructive nightly strikes on its energy infrastructure and a rising toll of civilian deaths, and that around 20,000 Russians are killed each month. He also noted that Russia holds a large nuclear arsenal, a fact he said people tend to forget.

Why it matters

The remarks signal that the US administration, despite its stated goal of ending the war and recent diplomatic contacts, is not yet ready to say a settlement is near. Rubio's comments came as the foreign ministers of the Group of 20 gathered in Atlanta.