U
S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has drawn a clear conclusion regarding the current dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, noting that despite some rapprochement, the positions of both sides remain very far apart. In his recent speech, he emphasized that the efforts of the administration of former President Donald Trump in this area have already begun to bear fruit by bringing Russia and Ukraine closer together, but a breakthrough in negotiations has not yet occurred. During an interview on Fox News, the politician highlighted that the war Russia is waging against Kyiv does not have a real military solution — it rather requires diplomatic efforts, strategic compromise, and long-term diplomatic steps. According to him, the current conditions and circumstances indicate that Russia still controls a significant part of Ukrainian territory, while Kyiv is trying to maintain its positions and regain the occupied lands. Rubio stresses that both sides — Russia and Ukraine — are capable of being closer in their positions than before; however, in the broader global context, they remain quite distant from each other. He notes that no clear, quick resolution to the conflict is foreseen at this time, and the prospects for its end remain uncertain. At the same time, the Secretary emphasizes that achieving a peaceful settlement requires a very rapid breakthrough in negotiations. The role of U.S. President Donald Trump is important here, as he must make a key decision about how much time the U.S. is willing to dedicate to diplomatic efforts and what strategic goal they aim to accomplish. During his discussion, Rubio pointed out that there are more urgent and long-term important issues on the world stage than the Ukrainian conflict. “I do not deny the importance of the situation in Ukraine, but global trends, including China's growing influence, Iran's nuclear ambitions, and other geopolitical challenges, are more significant for the future of the world,” he remarked. According to Rubio, we should soon expect some substantial moves in the negotiations; otherwise, the President will have to make long-term decisions regarding the U.S. strategy and its involvement in this conflict. Regarding previous statements and the official U.S. position, the Department of State has already indicated a shift in approaches to the war situation. They stated that the U.S. plans to decrease its level of active involvement in diplomatic efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict and move toward a less aggressive strategy, while reaffirming support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden expressed his pessimism about the speed of ending the war, emphasizing that at least in the near future, the conflict is unlikely to reach its final stage. Thus, the situation remains tense and unpredictable. Although diplomatic dialogue approaches a critical point, a real breakthrough is not yet visible. Meanwhile, the international community continues to await concrete steps that could lead to peace and stability around Ukraine, but time shows that the diplomatic process remains complex and unpredictable.