The end of the war between Russia and Ukraine entirely depends on the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This was stated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in an interview with Fox News journalist Sean Hannity.
This is reported by Kyiv24
“Ultimately, the decision must be made, in the case of Russia, solely by Putin, not his advisors. Putin – only Putin can end this war from the Russian side.”
Peace Negotiations: Key Aspects
Marco Rubio described the specifics of the negotiation process regarding the cessation of hostilities, which is currently taking place at an expert level. According to him, the parties are focused on discussing the status of territories covering about 30–50 kilometers, as well as 20% of the Donetsk region, which remain contentious. The American side is trying to help Ukraine determine conditions that guarantee its future security and prevent a renewed invasion, as well as facilitate the recovery and development of the Ukrainian economy.
Rubio emphasized that if the right actions are taken, Ukraine’s economic potential could significantly increase, and in 10 years, the country’s GDP could surpass that of Russia.
Russia’s Losses and Prospects for Resolution
The U.S. Secretary of State also commented on the scale of losses that Russia is incurring in the war, particularly in attempts to seize new territories. According to him, Russia loses about 7,000 soldiers weekly, which exceeds the total losses of the U.S. in some wars. Additionally, he noted the significant destruction that Ukraine is experiencing.
His statements came against the backdrop of the conclusion of negotiations between American representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner and Vladimir Putin, which took place on the evening of December 2. Following the talks, Putin’s aide Yuri Ushakov noted that a compromise on a peaceful settlement has not yet been found, although some American proposals appear acceptable to the Russian side.
At the same time, Ushakov stated that a meeting between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump is not currently planned. Its possibility depends on further progress in the peace process.