U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed skepticism regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to agree to any deal concerning Ukraine before spring 2027. Reports indicate that Rubio conveyed these sentiments to Western diplomats during private conversations over the past two days.
At a recent G20 foreign ministers’ meeting held in Atlanta, Georgia on October 30-31, European diplomats reportedly left with the impression that Rubio does not believe Putin will consent to a Ukraine agreement anytime soon.
Furthermore, Rubio stated that the Kremlin leader is unlikely to accept Ukraine’s NATO membership as a security guarantee, labeling the idea “unrealistic in the short term.”
Background Context
- On September 23, the U.S. invited Putin to the G20 summit. Rubio met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the same day, suggesting that Putin’s participation would allow him to engage not only with the U.S. President but also with other global leaders. The Kremlin acknowledged the invitation but mentioned that a decision on participation had not yet been made.
- During a press interaction on October 16, President Donald Trump commented that he was uncertain about Putin’s attendance at the G20 summit but would be pleased if he did come.
- According to a Washington Post article dated October 20, Trump seems to be pushing Ukraine towards a “peace agreement” by December, correlating his current pressure on Kyiv with the upcoming G20 preparations.
- On October 22, The Economist reported that the U.S. had devised a new “peace plan” for Ukraine, which would involve EU membership in exchange for Ukraine’s NATO membership renunciation. This plan includes business agreements with the U.S., lifting sanctions, and political normalization for Russia, alongside establishing a demilitarized zone in Donbas.
