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Rubio says US and Europe share Ukraine goals. (Img: X)
Paris: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday described the Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Abu Dhabi as "very productive". He said that Washington and its European allies shared the same objectives in ending the war. He also backed the inclusion of European countries in the ongoing trilateral negotiations involving the US, Russia and Ukraine.
Speaking in Paris after the first day of talks in the UAE capital, Rubio dismissed suggestions of differences between Washington and European governments over the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He said both sides wanted to end the war and ensure Ukraine's long-term security.
"I don't think there's a difference. I think we have the same interest in mind. Our goals are the same. We want the war to end, and we want there never to be a war again. So that requires not just ending the war, but also ensuring that Ukraine never again feels threatened for its security..." Rubio said.
Addressing concerns that Washington might reach an agreement with Moscow without consulting its European allies, Rubio said Europe was already involved in the diplomatic process.
"There's always this concern in Europe that they're going to be left out, that America's going to cut some deal with Russia and leave Europe out of the equation. Well, Europe's at the table. They're with us..." he said.
He reiterated that the trilateral negotiations should eventually be expanded to include European partners, arguing that their participation would be important for a lasting settlement.
"We think the trilateral should eventually include our European partners at the table as well, because they are a part of solving this problem for the long term," Rubio added.
The first day of US-led negotiations between Russia and Ukraine concluded in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday after several hours of discussions. The talks are scheduled to resume on Wednesday and mark the first round of direct negotiations between the two countries since February, when they met in Geneva.
The meeting comes as the war approaches its fifth year. US President Donald Trump had expressed optimism about the negotiations ahead of the meeting, which is part of Washington's efforts to broker an end to the conflict.
Both countries sent senior officials with previous negotiating experience. Russia's delegation included a close aide to President Vladimir Putin, who has led Moscow's negotiating team since the Istanbul talks in March 2022. Deputy Foreign Ministers Sergei Ryabkov and Mikhail Galuzin, military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov, and Yuri Zhigarlovsky were also part of the team.
Ukraine's delegation was led by Rustem Umerov, chief of the country's foreign intelligence service. Other members included presidential chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov, his deputy Sergiy Kyslytsya and parliamentary leader Davyd Arakhamia.
Rubio defends economic pressure on Iran (Img: X)
Separately, Rubio defended Washington's economic pressure on Iran, saying its impact would intensify in the coming months.
"It's not the status quo because the economic pain we're imposing on Iran will get worse, not better. In essence, it's going to continue to increase. It's going to be worse for Iran in a month and in two months and in three months than it is now. Iran is demanding reparations. They should be the ones paying reparations because they're the ones that have destabilised the region for long periods of time..." he said.
