US Secretary of State "Hopes to Resolve Issue of Halting Support for Ukraine"

Ukraine and Russia Must Make Mutual Concessions
Difficult for Ukraine to Restore Territory to 2014 Status

U.S. Secretary of State Mark Rubio said on the 11th (local time) that he hopes the issue of suspending support for Ukraine will be resolved during the high-level talks between the United States and Ukraine taking place in Saudi Arabia.

According to The New York Times (NYT), Secretary Rubio, who arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as part of the U.S. delegation attending the talks, stated, "What happens tomorrow will be at the core of that issue."

Secretary Rubio said, "If the meeting ends positively and I can report to President Donald Trump, a decision regarding the suspension could be made," adding, "Ukraine is currently still receiving defense-related intelligence."

Regarding the possibility of a mineral agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine being concluded at the meeting on the 11th, he said, "There are still details that need to be resolved." However, NYT reported that in-depth discussions on the mineral agreement are not expected to take place during this meeting.

Secretary Rubio made it clear that concessions from both Ukraine and Russia will be key to negotiations to end the Ukraine war. He said, "I think both sides need to agree that there is no military solution to this situation," adding, "Russia cannot conquer all of Ukraine, and it will be very difficult for Ukraine to push Russia back to the 2014 situation within a reasonable timeframe." He further emphasized that it is essential to confirm what Russia is willing to concede in future talks with Moscow.

Regarding Ukraine's proposed ceasefire plan in the air and at sea, Rubio said, "I am not saying that alone is enough, but this kind of concession is necessary to end the war," adding, "Neither side can ceasefire or end the war until both sides make concessions."

He emphasized that the U.S. stance toward Ukraine could change as a result of this meeting, stating, "I am confident about this. We will not provide military support to Russia."