Rubio teases Trump, Putin face-to-face meeting after Ukraine peace talks stall
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has addressed the potential timing of a face-to-face meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in order to discuss a ceasefire deal in Ukraine. In an interview that aired Sunday, Rubio discussed the ongoing efforts to bring peace to the region.
President Trump has expressed his belief that no peace in Ukraine will be reached until he meets with Putin in person. He also mentioned plans to speak with Putin on the phone on Monday, followed by a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and some NATO leaders. In response to these developments, Rubio revealed that the Vatican has offered to host a direct meeting between Ukraine, Russia, and potentially other parties.
Rubio, who recently attended Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass in Rome, emphasized the generous offer made by the Vatican. He noted that the Vatican’s offer to host meetings at various levels could provide a neutral and comfortable site for all parties involved. Rubio expressed hope that talks would progress to the point where the Vatican could play a role in facilitating discussions.
Following Putin’s absence from a face-to-face meeting with Zelenskyy in Turkey last week, Rubio had a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Despite the lack of a formal meeting, the Ukrainian and Russian delegations agreed to a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 individuals from each side. However, a broader ceasefire or peace deal was not achieved during the talks.
During his conversation with Lavrov, Rubio discussed the need for both sides to present serious and viable proposals for a ceasefire and further negotiations. He emphasized the importance of progress and movement towards ending the conflict in Ukraine. Rubio also mentioned that the U.S. is evaluating the sincerity of the Russian side’s engagement in the peace process.
In light of these developments, Rubio acknowledged the potential for a direct conversation between President Trump and Putin to help break the current stalemate. He reiterated Trump’s desire for an in-person meeting with Putin and expressed optimism that such a meeting could occur soon. While the logistics of arranging a meeting are still being worked out, Rubio indicated that both leaders have expressed a willingness to engage in direct talks.
In addition to his discussions with Lavrov and other officials, Rubio joined Vice President JD Vance in meeting with Zelenskyy in Rome. The leaders discussed their shared goal of ending the bloodshed in Ukraine and provided updates on negotiations for a ceasefire and lasting peace. Following the meeting, Vance and Rubio met with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss trade, the war in Ukraine, and NATO spending.
Overall, Rubio’s remarks underscore the ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring peace to Ukraine and the importance of direct engagement between key stakeholders. As discussions continue and proposals are put forward, the hope is that progress can be made towards a lasting ceasefire and resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
