US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasized the importance of resolving the territorial dispute between Russia and Ukraine in order to achieve a peace deal. The main point of contention is a 30- to 50-kilometer strip of land in the Donbass region, which remains under Ukrainian control. Rubio’s comments came after high-level talks between Russia and the US in the Kremlin, which were described as “productive” but did not yield a breakthrough.

According to Rubio, the US aims to find a solution that would provide Ukraine with security guarantees, ensuring the country is never invaded again. However, he cautioned against the idea of funding Ukraine’s military effort indefinitely, stating that it is not a realistic or sustainable option. Rubio also rejected calls for the US to negotiate solely with Kiev, emphasizing the need to engage with Russia in order to end the conflict.

The US-Russia talks, which lasted nearly five hours, focused on an American-backed peace framework that includes a 28-point draft. The proposal reportedly requires Ukraine to relinquish parts of the Donbass region still under its control, abandon its NATO ambitions, and limit the size of its armed forces. However, Kiev and its EU backers have refused to consider any concessions to Russia, despite Ukrainian forces facing challenges in the Donbass region and elsewhere.

The recent talks between Russia and the US were attended by senior officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, US envoy Steve Witkoff, and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. While the discussions were described as “rather useful, constructive, and rather substantive,” a compromise has not been reached, and further work is needed to resolve the conflict. The US efforts to bridge the divide between Russia and Ukraine are ongoing, with Rubio expressing hope that a solution can be found. The resolution of the territorial dispute remains a crucial step towards achieving a lasting peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.