US Senator Marco Rubio has suggested that Ukraine might need to abandon its goal of reclaiming territories in order to make progress in peace talks with Russia. Speaking ahead of a scheduled meeting between US and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Rubio acknowledged the difficulty of achieving Ukraine’s territorial objectives in the near future. He emphasized that the ongoing conflict requires both sides to make difficult decisions, with the realization that there is no military solution to the war, according to an RT report.
"Obviously, it’ll be very difficult for Ukraine in any reasonable time period to sort of force the Russians back all the way to where they were in 2014," Rubio stated, according to The New York Times. He underscored the importance of Ukraine's willingness to make tough concessions as a crucial factor in moving towards peace. Rubio’s remarks highlight the expectations of the United States as it seeks to guide Ukraine’s strategy in negotiations with Russia.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has its roots in 2014 when Crimea voted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia following a Western-backed coup in Kiev. Simultaneously, the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk declared their independence, leading to the ongoing strife in the region. In 2022, the situation escalated further with referendums held in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions, which were annexed by Russia. Moscow now considers these territories part of its country, but Ukraine continues to claim sovereignty over the regions.
Rubio’s comments suggest that the US expects Ukraine to make difficult compromises in the face of this territorial dispute. Kiev insists that the results of the referendums were "a sham" and that the citizens in these regions were disenfranchised. Meanwhile, Russia stands firm on its position, arguing that the status of the annexed regions is non-negotiable and must be recognized in any resolution of the conflict.
The Financial Times reported on Sunday that Ukraine intends to propose a partial ceasefire during the Saudi talks, covering areas such as long-range drone and missile strikes, as well as military operations in the Black Sea. This proposal is reportedly aimed at encouraging Washington to reconsider its stance on freezing intelligence-sharing and halting weapons deliveries to Ukraine. However, Russia has categorically rejected any idea of a temporary ceasefire, stating that the conflict can only be resolved through legally binding agreements that address the root causes of the war.
As both sides prepare for talks, the question remains whether a compromise can be reached that will address both Ukraine’s territorial claims and Russia’s unyielding stance on the annexed regions. The coming days in Saudi Arabia will be crucial in determining the potential for a diplomatic breakthrough or whether the conflict will continue to escalate.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
