The United States expects a decisive moment in the near future when it becomes clear whether Russia is truly prepared to end its war against Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized Washington’s firm stance: peace cannot come at the cost of concessions to the Kremlin.
“We’re not going to wait forever. There’s a clear timeframe, and within it, we want to see whether the parties are ready for peace,” Rubio said. He stressed that Ukraine has already shown its willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue, while Moscow continues to send mixed signals.
Rubio pointed out that Russia has repeatedly violated ceasefire agreements, casting serious doubt on its intentions. “If there was a real ceasefire, nothing would be exploding anywhere. But again, the Russians have set their own conditions and are not sticking to any agreements,” he said.
He warned against so-called “partial ceasefires,” saying they only create loopholes for Russia to continue its attacks. “Every time there’s talk about a partial truce, it turns into a debate over where it’s allowed to strike and where it isn’t. That’s unacceptable,” Rubio stated.
Meanwhile, the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, confirmed after her conversation with Rubio that the U.S. would not make any compromises with Russia that cross Ukraine’s or the EU’s red lines. She said Rubio had assured her of Washington’s unwavering support for Ukraine.
“If you’re really interested in peace, you don’t waste time,” Rubio added, making a clear reference to Vladimir Putin’s attempts to drag out the process.
Rubio also revealed that the U.S. Congress has begun working on a new sanctions package targeting Russia. The move is intended to increase pressure on Moscow and make it clear that the West’s patience is not unlimited. “The message to the Kremlin will be strong – either you’re ready for peace, or you will face even greater isolation,” Rubio said.
These comments come amid renewed Russian attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and escalating violence on the front lines. Ukraine, meanwhile, has consistently reaffirmed its readiness for a just peace based on international law and full restoration of its territorial integrity.
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