Rubio fears Ukraine’s return to tough posture
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced concerns that Ukraine might return to its earlier rigid positions in peace negotiations with Russia, which could prevent any breakthrough, Reuters reported on April 23, citing an unnamed European official.
“Rubio indicated to his British hosts concerns that Ukraine could revert to its toughest positions, making any breakthrough at the talks impossible,” the official said.
A quadrilateral meeting scheduled for April 23 in London, involving the foreign ministers of Ukraine, the United Kingdom, France, and Rubio, was downgraded after Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff decided not to attend.
CNN reported that their absence was due to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s refusal to legally recognize Russian-occupied Crimea as Russian, a key condition in the U.S.’s “final peace offer.”
According to Axios, the U.S. proposal offers Russia:
- De jure U.S. recognition of Russian control over Crimea;
- De facto recognition of Russia’s occupation of parts of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya oblasts;
- A commitment that Ukraine will not join NATO, though it may pursue European Union membership;
- The lifting of sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014;
- Expanded economic cooperation with the United States, particularly in energy and industrial sectors.
Zelenskyy responded by stating that Ukraine will not recognize Russia’s occupation of Crimea, as it violates the country’s constitution and sovereignty. He clarified that rumors about President Donald Trump’s proposals do not represent the official U.S. position.
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