U
S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the necessity of continuing negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, highlighting the importance of direct dialogue for achieving a sustainable peace. He made this statement during a phone call with France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, according to a spokesperson for the Department of State, Tammi Bruce. She stated that "Rubio underscored the critical importance of further direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, as they are key to establishing a long-term and just peace." The content of the conversation between the high-ranking officials was not limited to the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. The participants discussed the situation in the Middle East, focusing on U.S. support for Israel’s efforts to counter the terrorist organization Hamas, as well as prospects for preventing Iran from developing and acquiring nuclear weapons. The discussion highlights several vectors of U.S. foreign policy attention — from regional stability to the necessity of diplomatic resolution of global crises. It is worth recalling that recent talks in Istanbul, held on June 2, resulted in an important agreement between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations. Following the meeting, the parties agreed on another exchange of "all for all" — including severely wounded personnel and junior military servicemen. This is one step in the diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating the conflict and creating more favorable conditions for a complete cessation of hostilities. Such agreements reflect the parties’ efforts to find compromise solutions, although the path to long-term peace remains challenging and fraught with obstacles. Overall, the main focus of U.S. and European officials now is on seeking diplomatic solutions capable of reestablishing relations between Kyiv and Moscow and creating conditions for regional stability and security for all interested parties. The importance of continuing negotiations fuels hopes that diplomacy is the only way to avoid prolonged confrontation and promote lasting peace.