Zelensky has a message for Washington: Don’t call peace impossible while refusing to put more pressure on Putin

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Rubio expressed concern over the situation, stating that it had become a strategic stalemate rather than progressing as Putin had initially planned. He expressed willingness to help find a diplomatic solution, but acknowledged that no such agreement had emerged so far.

The Russians have set their sights on capturing the entirety of Donetsk, a goal that Ukraine deems unacceptable. Rubio warned of potential escalation, including sabotage operations and the potential destruction of Ukraine's electric grid. Zelensky shared these concerns, lamenting the current situation and the dead ends reached. He emphasized that Ukraine is not at a diplomatic dead end and urged the international community to impose sanctions on Russia, provide Starlink access, and enable Ukraine to defend its airspace.

Zelensky believed that once Russia loses everything, negotiations could become more fruitful, and he called on the U.S. to assist in achieving this outcome.