U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington has already started discussions with Russian officials of different standings, and these efforts will continue.
“We have had contact with them, including at different levels within the administration, and these conversations will persist,” Rubio said.
He emphasized that the U.S. will directly approach Russia with a clear and certain message: “Ukraine is ready to halt military operations and immediately begin negotiations for a long-term resolution of the war.”
As Rubio stated, the next step is measuring Moscow’s response. “If they say ‘yes,’ we will know that real progress has been made and that there is a genuine opportunity for peace. If they say ‘no,’ then we will need to assess their true intentions,” he declared.
He went as far as saying that if Russia refuses to cooperate, it will provide a great insight into its long-term strategic objectives.
