America Confirms Support for Negotiated Settlement in Ukraine
Follow-up
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed on Sunday that the United States believes in a negotiated settlement to the conflict in Ukraine that leads to “lasting peace,” emphasizing Washington’s commitment to a future for Kyiv as an independent, sovereign state.
Rubio’s statement came in a release from the U.S. State Department on the occasion of Ukraine’s National Day, highlighting that his country looks forward to strengthening economic and security partnerships with Kyiv for a future of peace and prosperity.
In contrast, Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Serhiy Kyslytsia clarified that President Volodymyr Zelensky is prepared to discuss regional issues with Russian President Vladimir Putin based on current contact lines, stressing that Kyiv rejects the principle of “land for peace.”
Meanwhile, Zelensky’s Chief of Staff, Andrii Yermak, emphasized that Ukraine does not intend to make territorial concessions, but acknowledges the difficulty of regaining territories forcibly annexed by Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed his willingness to meet with Zelensky “when the summit agenda is ready,” while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that Zelensky had declined proposals made by U.S. President Donald Trump during meetings in Washington regarding a settlement, including the matter of Ukraine not joining NATO.
