US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said progress has been achieved in diplomatic efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, but emphasized that major challenges remain. Ukrainian officials traveled to Washington, DC, this week for a fresh round of discussions with US diplomats as part of ongoing efforts to negotiate a sustainable peace settlement.

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Rubio Highlights Progress but Warns of Remaining Obstacles

Speaking during a year-end press conference at the State Department, Rubio stated that Washington is not attempting to impose a deal on either party.

“What we are trying to figure out here is what can Ukraine live with and what can Russia live with and … see if we can drive them towards each other and some sort of agreement,” Rubio said.
“I think we’ve made progress, but we have a ways to go, and obviously, the hardest issues are always the last issues.”

Rubio underscored that any resolution would require negotiation and compromise from both Kyiv and Moscow, while respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and security needs.

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Ukrainian Delegation Engages in Talks with US Officials

Ukrainian negotiator Rustem Umerov led Kyiv’s delegation in discussions with US officials on Friday. According to Umerov, the talks concluded with an agreement to continue joint efforts:

“We agreed with our American partners on further steps and on continuing our joint work in the near future,” he wrote on Telegram, adding that he briefed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the outcomes.

Umerov also emphasized that Ukraine’s European partners would remain involved in any negotiations, highlighting the importance of long-term security guarantees for the country.

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Diplomatic Push Under Trump Administration

Since returning to office in January, US President Donald Trump has prioritized diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, though progress has been complicated by starkly conflicting demands from Russia and Ukraine.

Earlier in the week, White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, conducted talks in Berlin with Ukrainian and European officials. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy stated that agreements had been reached on several documents, including a 20-point peace framework, security guarantees, and a reconstruction plan. However, no final proposals were finalized, and territorial disputes remain unresolved.

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Putin’s Demands and Kyiv’s Stance

Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded Ukraine cede all territory captured in four key regions, including Crimea, and withdraw troops from contested areas in eastern Donetsk. These demands have been categorically rejected by Kyiv, which maintains that the constitution forbids relinquishing national territory.

While Zelenskyy has signaled a willingness to drop NATO membership ambitions in exchange for Western security guarantees, fighting on the ground continues, reflecting the complexity of achieving a negotiated settlement.

Rubio noted that wars typically end in one of two ways: either through surrender or negotiated settlement. He stressed that the US sees no near-term prospect of Ukraine surrendering and emphasized that a peaceful resolution will require negotiations between the two countries.

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Ongoing Challenges and Next Steps

Despite progress, the Russia-Ukraine conflict remains at a critical juncture, with both sides entrenched on key issues. Rubio’s comments underscore that continued diplomatic engagement, supported by the United States and European allies, will be essential to reach a lasting solution.

The next phase of negotiations will likely focus on territorial disputes, security guarantees, and reconstruction assistance, while ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and stability are maintained.