Future US secretary of state: Both Ukraine and Russia must make concessions to end war
Pravda Ukraine
US Senator Marco Rubio, nominated by Donald Trump as Secretary of State, stated during Senate hearings on Wednesday, 15 January, that concessions from both Ukraine and Russia will be necessary to bring the war to an end.
Source: a correspondent from European Pravda
Details: Speaking about the prospects for ending the war, Rubio acknowledged the complexity of the task.
Quote: “It is important for everyone to be realistic: there will have to be concessions – made by the Russian Federation, but also by the Ukrainians… It is also important that there be some balance on both sides.”
Details: Rubio argued that Ukraine cannot fully expel Russian forces from its territory while also asserting that Putin’s forces are incapable of conquering all of Ukraine.
Quote: “There is no way Russia takes all of Ukraine. The Ukrainians are too brave and fight too hard, and the country is too big. That’s not gonna happen. It is also unrealistic to believe that somehow a nation the size of Ukraine… gonna push these people [Russian troops – ed.] all the way back to where they were on the eve of the invasion…
The problem is that they [Ukrainians – ed.] are running out not of money, but they are running out of Ukrainians.”
Details: He noted that both sides possess leverage that could strengthen their positions in potential peace negotiations.
Rubio also suggested that Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s objective might be to “impose neutrality” on Ukraine, regroup his forces and return in four to five years – an outcome Rubio deemed no one would favour.
He criticised the current US administration for its handling of the conflict, particularly the lack of a clear strategy under President Joe Biden.
Rubio emphasised that the next US administration will pursue “bold diplomacy” to end the war.
Quote: “This war has to end… It’s going to be hard work. This is not going to be an easy endeavor, but it’s gonna require bold diplomacy.”
Background:
- Meanwhile, Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, stated that the future administration understands the nature of this war and stressed the need for a swift resolution to the full-scale war in Ukraine.
- Current US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken explained in a joint op-ed for The New York Times the risks of reducing military aid to Ukraine or prematurely ending the conflict.
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