U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Sunday that the upcoming week will be "very critical" for Russia-Ukraine negotiations, emphasizing that both sides are still not "close enough" to a deal.
Rubio made these remarks during an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, underscoring the urgency of reaching an agreement soon.
“It needs to start happening … I think this is going to be a very critical week,” Rubio said, stressing the importance of making significant progress in the ongoing peace talks. He acknowledged that the Trump administration has made "real progress" in efforts to end the three-year-long conflict, but warned that the "last couple steps" toward an agreement remain the most challenging.
Rubio further noted that if a deal does not materialize soon, the U.S. may need to reassess its involvement. "It needs to happen soon. We cannot continue to dedicate time and resources to this effort if it’s not going to come to fruition," he added. He explained that the administration must soon decide whether to remain actively engaged in the negotiations or shift focus to other priorities.
“If it doesn’t come to fruition, then as a nation-state there are options that we have for those who we hold responsible for not wanting the peace. But we prefer not to get to that stage yet because we think it closes the door to diplomacy,” Rubio said.
Rubio’s comments followed a meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome on Saturday, where both leaders attended the funeral of Pope Francis. The meeting was described as "productive" by both the U.S. and Ukrainian sides. Trump later shared his thoughts on Truth Social, suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin may not be genuinely interested in ending the war, hinting at potential alternative measures, including “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions.”
The talks between Russia and Ukraine continue to be a focal point for international diplomacy, with the coming week seen as a pivotal moment for the future of the peace process.
Beijing has issued a geological disaster alert for most of the city after intense rainfall triggered fears of landslides and flash floods. Nearby Baod...
Australia has signed a long-term defence treaty with Britain to deepen cooperation on the AUKUS nuclear submarine initiative over the next 50 years, t...
Pakistani FM Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan and the United States are 'very close' to finalising a trade agreement, suggesting the deal could be reached...
At a United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday, the United States called on China to stop supporting Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine, a...
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday praised Pakistan's role in promoting regional stability and discussed deeper cooperation on counterterrorism, trade, and critical minerals during a meeting in Washington with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday his support for maintaining the restrictions on U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear weapons outlined in the 2010 New START treaty, which is set to expire in February
At least 652 children have died from malnutrition in Nigeria’s Katsina state in the first six months of 2025, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said on Friday, blaming funding cuts by international donors for worsening conditions.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to NATO as he hosted defense ministers from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, praising their strong defense spending and united stance on Ukraine.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
Australian researchers have created a groundbreaking “biological AI” platform that could revolutionise drug discovery by rapidly evolving molecules within mammalian cells.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
Beijing has issued a geological disaster alert for most of the city after intense rainfall triggered fears of landslides and flash floods. Nearby Baoding saw more than a year's worth of rain fall in just eight hours, displacing thousands and breaking historical records.
Australia has signed a long-term defence treaty with Britain to deepen cooperation on the AUKUS nuclear submarine initiative over the next 50 years, the government announced on Saturday.
Pakistani FM Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan and the United States are 'very close' to finalising a trade agreement, suggesting the deal could be reached within days. However, U.S. officials made no mention of a specific timeline following Dar’s meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
At a United Nations Security Council meeting on Friday, the United States called on China to stop supporting Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine, accusing Beijing of enabling Moscow’s aggression through the export of dual-use goods.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 26th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment