United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Sunday that Ukraine and Europe would be included in any meaningful negotiations to end Russia’s war, reinforcing that ongoing United States discussions with Moscow were an initial effort to gauge Russian President Vladimir Putin’s seriousness about peace. Amid concerns that Europe was being sidelined in the early diplomatic engagements, Marco Rubio assured that if talks progressed, both Ukrainian and European representatives would be integral to the process.
The discussions come as the United States prepares for a diplomatic meeting with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, where American representatives will evaluate the sincerity of Moscow’s peace overtures. Marco Rubio downplayed European concerns about exclusion, emphasizing that no formal negotiations had commenced and that any substantive peace talks would necessitate Ukraine’s direct involvement. Reports surfaced on Sunday that United States officials had distributed a questionnaire to European governments, inquiring about potential troop contributions to enforce a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
Former United States President Donald Trump recently held a phone conversation with Vladimir Putin, during which the Russian leader reportedly expressed interest in ending the conflict. Donald Trump stated that he believed Vladimir Putin was willing to negotiate and downplayed fears that Russia sought to annex the entirety of Ukraine. However, Marco Rubio cautioned that a single conversation was insufficient to guarantee peace, stressing that actions in the coming weeks would determine the authenticity of Moscow’s intentions.
Meanwhile, United States Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and national security adviser Mike Waltz were scheduled to depart for Saudi Arabia on Sunday night to participate in discussions with Russian counterparts. The composition of the Russian delegation remained uncertain. Marco Rubio, who was also set to visit Saudi Arabia for previously scheduled official engagements, reiterated that no final decisions had been made regarding the structure of negotiations.
Ukraine’s role in the peace talks remains a contentious issue, with Donald Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, suggesting at the Munich Security Conference that Kyiv may not be directly involved in the initial stages. The remarks triggered alarm among European leaders, prompting French President Emmanuel Macron to convene an emergency summit on Monday to address concerns over United States policy shifts on Ukraine, Russia, and European defense.
European officials remain wary of the Donald Trump administration’s approach, fearing that Washington may pursue a peace deal with Vladimir Putin that undermines Kyiv’s sovereignty and weakens European security. Marco Rubio avoided directly addressing whether United States sanctions on Russia were discussed during his recent phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, only acknowledging that they had not delved into specifics. Moscow later stated that the discussion involved the removal of “unilateral barriers” imposed by the previous United States administration.
As diplomatic maneuvering continues, Marco Rubio acknowledged that improving conditions at the United States embassy in Moscow was also part of the broader dialogue. He stressed that if genuine peace efforts were to move forward, both Russia and the United States would require properly functioning embassies in each other’s capitals. While no concrete breakthroughs have been made, Washington and its European allies remain on high alert as discussions unfold.
