Expecting peaceful solution with Iran, awaiting Kiev's move: Rubio
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the Ukraine peace talks in Paris as “positive" while urging progress.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, center at left, and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, right, attend a high-level meeting on Ukraine and its security, in Paris, on Thursday, April 17, 2025 (AP)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described recent peace talks in Paris with Ukrainian officials as "positive", signaling cautious optimism about the path forward in resolving the Russia-Ukraine war. However, Rubio emphasized that the window for negotiations is narrowing, and concrete progress must be made soon.
“Discussions on the settlement in Ukraine cannot last forever,” Rubio warned during a press briefing on Friday.
Rubio noted that after three years of extensive military and financial support for Kiev, the United States is approaching a critical juncture. While reaffirming America’s long-standing commitment to Ukraine’s defense, he stated that such backing is not open-ended.
“The country is ready to participate in the Ukrainian settlement as long as necessary, but not indefinitely, especially if there is no progress,” he stressed.
The US is now awaiting Ukraine’s official response to the Paris discussions, which focused on the potential terms and frameworks for a negotiated settlement. Rubio stopped short of confirming any movement on security guarantees, indicating that the subject remains too sensitive for public disclosure.
Rubio: Dialogue with Russia essential to the process
Following his meetings in Paris, Rubio confirmed he spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He defended the engagement as a necessary step in preventing miscommunication and ensuring both sides are aligned on the state of negotiations.
“When we have these kinds of meetings, it is important that you communicate to the other side,” Rubio said. “Otherwise, they do not know what happened and start relying on rumors.”
Rubio added that Ukraine had been fully briefed on his conversations with Russia, including updates on the earlier dialogue as well as the recent visit by US Special Presidential Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff to St. Petersburg.
European allies can ‘move the ball forward’
Rubio also highlighted the roles of key European partners—particularly the United Kingdom, France, and Germany—in supporting the Ukraine peace talks. He characterized their involvement as constructive and necessary, especially as negotiations may require adjustments to existing sanctions against Russia.
“We talk to our allies consistently. We would like them to remain engaged. I think the UK, France, and Germany can help us move the ball on this and then get this closer to a resolution,” he said.
Their proposals, according to Rubio, have been “very helpful and constructive,” underscoring the need for transatlantic unity as diplomatic efforts intensify.
Hope for stability in US-Iran talks
In a separate development, Rubio addressed the ongoing indirect US-Iran negotiations hosted in Muscat, Oman. The first round of talks, which included Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, concluded on a cautiously optimistic note, with both sides describing the discussions as constructive.
“I expect a long-term and peaceful solution,” Rubio said, expressing hope that dialogue would continue in a productive direction.
The White House has confirmed that a second round of US-Iran talks is scheduled for April 19, suggesting Washington’s broader diplomatic strategy remains active across multiple fronts.
