Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff to discuss ‘new’ peace plan with Ukrainian delegation, sources say

Russian President Vladimir Putin said it wanted to seize the entire region, parts of which are still held by kyiv’s forces. Zelensky has ruled out ceding the territory, arguing that Putin could use it as a base to attack Ukraine again. Russia currently occupies around a fifth of Ukraine’s territory.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Thursday that standoffs are “very dangerous” because they result in either a negotiated settlement or escalation. In the context of Ukraine, this “could result in a sabotage campaign in neighboring NATO countries,” he said.

European leaders are increasingly concerned about Russia’s escalation of the conflict and the spread of the conflict across the continent.

“Ultimately, we don’t believe there is a military solution to this conflict, to this war. We believe this war must end with a negotiated settlement,” Rubio said. “The sooner the better.”

In separate comments to Greek newspaper Kathimerini, Rubio said “there does not appear to be any prospect of a negotiated settlement” on peace in Ukraine at present. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded by agreeing with Rubio’s assessment, Russia’s official Tass news agency reported.

U.S. diplomatic efforts to end the war were revived last month when Witkoff and Kushner visited Moscow and, for the first time, kyiv. No major progress has been announced.

The White House has already reiterated some of Putin’s tough demands and tried to push kyiv into concessions.

Putin explained the invasion by saying Russia was trying to demilitarize Ukraine and overthrow the kyiv government, which he said is motivated by “Nazi ideology” – a common Kremlin propaganda line.

What was supposed to be a rapid military operation to oust Zelensky and replace him with a pro-Kremlin government quickly failed, leaving the capture of Donbass as Putin’s only option to claim a significant victory in Ukraine.