By David Ljunggren
(Reuters) -Talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian chief Vladimir Putin produced sufficient motion to justify a gathering with Ukrainian and European leaders, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio instructed CBS on Sunday.
Rubio additionally mentioned each Russia and Ukraine must make concessions to finish the battle, including that america won’t have the ability to produce a situation guaranteeing peace.
European leaders will accompany Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to fulfill Trump in Washington on Monday, in search of to bolster him because the president presses Ukraine to simply accept a fast peace deal after assembly Putin on Friday.
“I am not saying we’re on the verge of a peace deal, however I’m saying that we noticed motion, sufficient motion to justify a follow-up assembly with Zelenskiy and the Europeans,” Rubio instructed the “Face the Nation” present.
Rubio’s feedback have been among the many first by senior U.S. officers current on the talks with Putin.
In a social media submit, Trump wrote, “BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA. STAY TUNED!” he gave no particulars
Talking individually to Fox Information’ “Sunday Morning Futures” program, Rubio mentioned the talks had narrowed down the important thing points. These included drawing borders, long-term safety ensures for Kyiv, and which navy alliances Ukraine may have, he mentioned, including “there’s lots of work that continues to be.”
Putin has dominated out Ukraine changing into a member of NATO. Article 5 of the alliance’s constitution is a mutual defence pact obliging allies to defend a member from assaults.
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s particular envoy to Russia, instructed CNN that the U.S. facet had gained “the concession that america may supply Article 5-like safety.”
Pressed for particulars, he mentioned, “america is doubtlessly ready to have the ability to give Article 5 safety ensures, however not from NATO, immediately from america, and different European international locations.” This may be one of many subjects for dialogue on Monday, he mentioned.
In line with sources, Trump and Putin mentioned proposals for Russia to relinquish tiny pockets of occupied Ukraine in trade for Ukraine ceding a swathe of fortified land within the east and freezing the entrance traces elsewhere.
“We could not prefer it, it will not be nice, it might be distasteful, however to ensure that there to be an finish of the battle, there are issues Russia desires that it can not get, and there are issues Ukraine desires that it isn’t going to get,” mentioned Rubio.
In a separate interview with ABC, Rubio mentioned if a deal couldn’t be reached to finish the battle, present U.S. sanctions on Russia would proceed, and extra might be added.
When Zelenskiy visited the White Home in February, the assembly resulted in a shouting match. Rubio, chatting with CBS, dismissed the concept that the European leaders have been coming to Washington to guard Zelenskiy.
“They are not coming right here tomorrow to maintain Zelenskiy from being bullied. They’re coming right here tomorrow as a result of we have been working with the Europeans,” he mentioned.
“We invited them to come back.”
(Further reporting by David Morgan and Raphael Satter in WashingtonEditing by Rod Nickel)
