Rubio: Washington may join Moscow-Kyiv talks amid Donetsk disputes
In significant remarks before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States is seriously considering joining a new round of direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv, scheduled for this week. This announcement represents a significant shift in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Eastern Europe.
Details of US involvement and previous negotiations
Rubio explained that the expected US participation would be at a different level of representation than the previous round held in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, which saw high-level attendance including US envoys Steve Wittkopf and Jared Kushner. That round constituted the first direct and public negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian sides to discuss the US plan to end the war, reflecting a growing international desire to find a political solution to the crisis.
Donetsk obstacle and security guarantees
Regarding the substance of the negotiations, the US Secretary of State noted tangible progress on the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine, which Kyiv considers a vital precondition for any discussions about concessions. However, the territorial issue in eastern Ukraine, specifically the Donetsk region, remains the main obstacle that has yet to be overcome.
Rubio described the situation, saying: "There is still a sticking and thorny issue, which is the claim to the Donetsk territories," stressing that intensive diplomatic efforts are currently being made to try to bring the divergent views of the two sides closer over this strategic region, acknowledging that this issue will be "very difficult," especially for the Ukrainian side, which is holding fast to its sovereignty over its territory.
Historical context and strategic importance
These talks are of paramount importance given the historical context of the conflict, which erupted with the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2012, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands, the displacement of millions, and widespread destruction of infrastructure. The Donetsk region, which together with Luhansk forms the Donbas region, is a vital industrial hub and has been the scene of fierce fighting since 2014, making its surrender extremely complex for both sides, both politically and militarily.
Expected regional and international impacts
The success of these negotiations, or even their continuation, carries far-reaching implications both regionally and internationally. Economically, the world anticipates stability in energy and food markets, which have been severely impacted by the war. Politically, Washington's direct involvement indicates the US administration's desire to resolve the conflict in order to focus its efforts on other geopolitical challenges. However, Germany and other European countries warn against the failure of these negotiations, pointing to continued Russian intransigence, which could prolong the conflict and drain Western resources allocated to supporting Ukraine.
