Trump-Putin talks produced sufficient motion to justify Ukraine assembly, Rubio says

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 informed CBS on Sunday.

Rubio additionally stated each Russia and Ukraine must make concessions to finish the warfare, including that the USA 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, looking for to bolster him because the president presses Ukraine to just 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 informed the “Face the Nation” present.

Rubio’s feedback had been among the many first by senior U.S. officers current on the talks with Putin.

In a social media put up, Trump wrote, “BIG PROGRESS ON RUSSIA. STAY TUNED!” he gave no particulars

Talking individually to Fox Information’ “Sunday Morning Futures” program, Rubio stated the talks had narrowed down the important thing points. These included drawing borders, long-term safety ensures for Kyiv, and which army alliances Ukraine might have, he stated, including “there’s numerous work that is still.”

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, informed CNN that the U.S. aspect had received “the concession that the USA might provide Article 5-like safety.”

Pressed for particulars, he stated, “the USA is probably ready to have the ability to give Article 5 safety ensures, however not from NATO, straight from the USA, and different European nations.” This may be one of many matters for dialogue on Monday, he stated.

In keeping 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 strains elsewhere.

“We could not prefer it, it will not be nice, it could be distasteful, however to ensure that there to be an finish of the warfare, there are issues Russia desires that it can not get, and there are issues Ukraine desires that it isn’t going to get,” stated Rubio.

In a separate interview with ABC, Rubio stated if a deal couldn’t be reached to finish the warfare, present U.S. sanctions on Russia would proceed, and extra may very well be added.

When Zelenskiy visited the White Home in February, the assembly led to a shouting match. Rubio, talking to CBS, dismissed the concept that the European leaders had 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 stated.

“We invited them to come back.”

(Further reporting by David Morgan and Raphael Satter in WashingtonEditing by Rod Nickel)