Rubio Announces Direct U.S.-Russia Contact After Ceasefire Announcement

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States would engage in direct contact with Russia, urging an end to military actions.

Speaking on March 12, Rubio stated, “There is no military solution to this conflict.” His remarks, quoted by The Guardian, underscored a U.S. push for diplomacy.

“We all eagerly await the Russian response and urge them strongly to consider ending all hostilities,” Rubio stated while in Ireland. “If they say no, then obviously we’ll have to examine everything and sort of figure out where we stand in the world and what their true intentions are,” he added.

Rubio confirmed that discussions in Jeddah on March 11 included negotiations on territorial concessions and the broader structure of a potential peace process.

He emphasized that Ukraine requires sufficient deterrence against future attacks and called for greater European involvement.

Regarding the proposed U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement, Rubio stated he “would not consider it a security guarantee” but acknowledged that it could provide the U.S. with a “personal interest” in Ukraine’s stability.

Following the Jeddah talks, Ukraine agreed to implement a 30-day ceasefire if Russia reciprocates. Rubio confirmed that the U.S. would convey the proposal to Moscow and expressed hope for a positive response.