Rubio bows out as Zelensky rejects key part of US Ukraine plan

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Apr 2025 08:23

Rubio, who had been expected to participate in discussions aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, announced he would visit the United Kingdom in the coming months.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the State Department in Washington. (AP)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will not attend Ukraine peace talks in London as previously planned, the State Department confirmed.

Rubio had been expected to take part in the discussions with Ukrainian, UK, and European officials, but State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Tuesday that he would no longer attend due to “logistical issues", asserting that the talks will proceed without him.

Rubio announced he would visit the United Kingdom in the coming months. “I look forward to following up after the ongoing discussions in London and rescheduling my trip to the UK in the coming months,” Rubio wrote on the social media platform X.

Trump’s Ukraine envoy Kellogg to lead talks

Despite Rubio’s absence, the talks are moving forward with General Keith Kellogg, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, representing the US. Kellogg is expected to engage in discussions with international leaders about potential steps toward a ceasefire.

Bruce emphasized that Rubio’s decision not to attend was not reflective of the administration’s stance on the talks. “In this particular instance, while the meetings in London are still occurring, he will not be attending. But that is not a statement regarding the meetings. It’s a statement about logistical issues in his schedule,” Bruce said during a press briefing.

The absence of Washington’s top diplomat has raised questions about the Trump administration’s expectations from the meeting. President Trump recently expressed hope that Moscow and Kiev might reach a deal this week. However, his administration has warned it may withdraw from brokering a peace deal if clear progress is not evident soon.

Recognizing Russia’s control of Crimea key point in proposal

The proposal includes recognizing Russia’s control of Crimea, an official familiar with the framework told CNN. It would also put a ceasefire in place along the frontlines of the war, the official said.

Any move to recognize Russia’s control of Crimea would reverse a decade of US policy.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky made it clear Tuesday that he was open to talks with Russia but asserted that Kiev would not accept a deal that recognizes Moscow’s control of Crimea.

“Ukraine will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea,” he told reporters. “There is nothing to talk about. It is against our constitution.”

Meanwhile, Rubio said in a post on X that he had a “productive conversation” with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who is hosting Wednesday’s meeting, and that he “(looks) forward to following up” with the United Kingdom and Ukraine at a later point.

Trump pushes for Ukraine ceasefire amid global concerns

Since taking office in January, Trump has shifted US foreign policy on Ukraine, urging Kiev to agree to a ceasefire while softening many of the sanctions imposed on Russia by the previous administration. Trump has set a goal of brokering a ceasefire by May, citing the need to end a conflict that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the risk of escalating into a direct confrontation with nuclear-armed Russia.

European leaders remain wary of Trump’s diplomatic approach, particularly as his efforts to mediate a ceasefire have so far failed to produce a breakthrough.