US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Ukraine-Russia war was not started by US
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasized that while the Ukraine-Russia war remains a tragic conflict, it is not a war started by the United States.
Speaking to reporters at Le Bourget Airport in Paris today, Secretary Rubio reiterated the Trump Administration’s commitment to exploring every possible avenue to facilitate an end to the war, which has persisted for more than three years.
Rubio noted that President Trump has dedicated significant time and diplomatic efforts toward resolving the conflict, including direct engagements with both Ukraine and Russia. He underscored that the administration is now in a critical phase of determining whether a resolution is feasible within the coming days.
“We need to determine very quickly whether this is doable,” Rubio said. “If it is, we’re in. If it’s not, then we have other priorities to focus on.”
Efforts have included three meetings between U.S. Ambassador Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as repeated engagements with Ukrainian officials. While details of the proposed peace framework remain confidential, Rubio described the discussions as constructive. European allies—including France, Germany and the United Kingdom—were involved in meetings yesterday and are expected to continue playing a key role in the negotiations.
Security Guarantees and European Involvement
One of the key topics in discussions has been security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. Rubio acknowledged the importance of Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against future threats but did not disclose specifics of potential agreements. He maintained that Ukraine, as a sovereign nation, has the right to determine its own security arrangements.
When asked whether future negotiations would follow the current process involving European leaders, Marco Rubio affirmed the value of European participation, emphasizing that the Ukraine-Russia war is taking place on their continent. He stated that European sanctions against Russia would play a significant role in any future resolution.
The Secretary of State also spoke about his conversation yesterday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, highlighting the need for direct communication to avoid misunderstandings between the two sides.
Iran Tensions and Broader US Foreign Policy Challenges
In addition to discussions on Ukraine, Rubio addressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, revealing that European leaders will soon need to decide on potential reimposition of sanctions against Iran due to its alleged noncompliance with existing agreements. He reiterated President Trump’s stance that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon, underscoring the urgency of forthcoming talks.
As the US government weighs its next steps in global diplomacy, Rubio made it clear that the Trump Administration will not allow negotiations over Ukraine to stall indefinitely. “We’re prepared to be engaged in this as long as it takes, but not indefinitely, not without progress,” he stated.
The next round of discussions is expected to take place in London early next week, where officials will determine whether progress can realistically be achieved in the near term. If the talks fail to bring meaningful advancements, the US government may shift its focus to other pressing international matters.
Rubio concluded by reaffirming the Trump Administration’s dedication to exploring every available option for peace, but stressed that continued diplomatic engagement will depend on both Ukraine and Russia’s willingness to move forward.
“We want to help,” Rubio said. “But if it’s not going to happen, we need to know now because we have other things we have to deal with.”
Source: U.S. Department of State Newsroom
Featured photo is a cropped version of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s official portrait, which is in public domain
