Washington, May 18 (UNI) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says American efforts on Russia-Ukraine talks will be determined by whether both sides have any viable and ‘realistic’ proposals from the discussions held in Turkey earlier.
Speaking to CBS News, Rubio, responding to a query on whether both sides were ‘tapping’ the US around, said “Well, that's what we're trying to find out. We'll find out pretty soon. They met last- yesterday or the day before in Turkey. From that they agreed they're going to exchange paper on ideas that get to a cease-fire.
“If those papers have ideas on them that are realistic and rational, then I think we know we've made progress. If those papers, on the other hand, have requirements in them that we know are unrealistic, then we'll have a different assessment.”
The Secretary of State said that Washington does not want to get bogged down in endless talks with no results, as there is a lot going around in the world today which required the US’ attention.
“On the one hand, we're trying to achieve peace and end a very bloody, costly and destructive war. So, there's some element of patience that is required. On the other hand, we don't have time to waste. There are a lot of other things happening in the world that we also need to be paying attention to. So, we don't want to be involved in this process of just endless talks, there has to be some progress, some movement forward.
“And if at the end of this, in the next few days, we get a document produced by both sides, and it shows that both sides are being- making concessions and being realistic and rational in their approach, then I think we can feel good about continuing to remain engaged. If, on the other hand, what we see is not very productive, perhaps we'll have a different assessment.”
He added, that ultimately, the only way to break the ice and move forward was through direct talks between Trump and Putin.
“I also agree that ultimately, one of the things that could help break this log jam, perhaps the only thing that can, is a direct- direct conversation between President Trump and Vladimir Putin. And he's already openly expressed a desire and a belief that that needs to happen, and- and hopefully that'll be worked out soon as well," he said.
Rubio stated that Washington has been trying to get the two leaders to have direct talks, with the Russian side being open to them.
“The President's made that offer already publicly. The mechanics of setting that kind of meeting up would require a little bit of work, so I can't say that's being planned as we speak in terms of picking a site and a date. But the President wants to do it. He wants to do it as soon as- as feasible.
“I think the Russian side has also expressed a willingness to do it. And so, now it's just a question of bringing them- bringing everyone together, and figuring out where and when and that meeting will happen and what it will be about.”
Talking about his earlier conversation with his Russian counterpart, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Rubio said “Well, we talked about a variety of things. We did talk about- I wanted to get his readout on his view of how the talks went yesterday. There- they were not a complete waste of time.
“For example, there were 1,000 prisoners that are going to be exchanged, and that, from a humanitarian standpoint, is very positive. He explained to me that they are going to be pre- preparing a document outlining their requirements for a cease-fire that would then lead to broader negotiations.”
He added that the Russian side “will be working on a series of ideas and requirements that they would have in order to move forward with a cease-fire and further negotiations. So, we'll await that, and hopefully it's one- it's a document that is close enough to what the Ukrainians want to be able to get to that point and maybe work out those differences.” UNI ANV SSP