— I hope the Russians consider ending the shooting. I think the first step is to agree that this conflict cannot be concluded militarily. However, it is hard to have peace talks erstwhile people are shooting at each other," said Marco Rubio, commenting talks in Saudi Arabia during which the Kiev authorities agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal.
The U.S. Secretary of State stressed that contact with the Russian side would happen on Wednesday. “We will see how they react. If they say yes, we will know that we are making progress. If they say no, it will be highly unfortunate,” he described in a conversation with journalists.
Marco Rubio: Ukraine must feel that it is able to prevent another invasion
Marco Rubio was asked by journalists about territorial concessions from Ukraine. - We had this conversation. But I can't confirm anything. There will be a number of contact points with the Russians. We will not talk publically about this, he explained. “Everyone would like to see the prisoner exchange, the return of the children, we have quite a few things,” he described.
The U.S. Secretary of State stressed that his administration wanted lasting peace in Ukraine. “We are not curious in this war starting again in 2.3 or 5 years. It is besides a question of whether Ukraine is able to make appropriate deterrent mechanisms. Each state has the right to defend itself,” stressed Marco Rubio.
— The issue of European sanctions will be open no substance what happens to frozen Russian assets. We will see, there are various forces to make deterrent mechanisms. Ukraine must feel that it is able to prevent another invasion," said Marco Rubio.
A typical of the American administration besides commented on the agreement between the US and Ukraine on mineral mining. “I think that the mineral agreement will benefit both countries,” he said. “If the US has an economical interest in something in Ukraine, we will be curious in protecting Ukraine,” he added.
