Rubio: “I don’t consider myself a pessimist” — Russia-Ukraine talks could resume in the coming weeks

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said it is possible that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine could resume within the next few weeks.

According to him, visits by U.S. President’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv provided grounds for continuing the dialogue.

Rubio commented on the outcome of the talks while speaking with journalists. In assessing their nature, he refrained from definitive judgments but emphasized the substantive quality of the meetings that took place.

“These were good negotiations — in the sense that they were substantive. I don’t want to characterize them as good or bad, productive or unproductive — I can only say that they were focused. The parties put forward new ideas,” the U.S. Secretary of State said.

According to Rubio, until now the parties had shown virtually no willingness to make concessions and had maintained clear “red lines.” Nevertheless, the talks in Kyiv and Moscow, in his assessment, create a foundation for further dialogue.

“I don’t want to be overly optimistic, but I don’t consider myself a pessimist either. I think that in the next few weeks there is an opportunity to develop a further roadmap, to resume negotiations, and possibly to reach a solution that satisfies both sides. Because that is what is needed to end the conflict: both sides must agree to the arrangements that have been reached,” Rubio stated.