US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the American administration is not certain whether Russia is genuinely committed to ending the war against Ukraine. He made the remarks while speaking at the Munich Security Conference on the morning of February 14.
Russia is not fully committed to peace
Rubio said Russian representatives are assuring the United States that they want to achieve peace. He noted that peace talks between Ukraine and Russia would never have begun without US involvement. Rubio added that the number of disputed issues in the negotiation process has decreased, but the most difficult ones remain unresolved. The United States, he said, will continue doing everything necessary to bring peace closer.
“We don’t know if the Russians are serious about ending the war. They say they are. What we can’t answer – but we are going to continue to test – is an outcome Ukraine can live with and Russia can accept. That’s been elusive to this point”, he said during a Q&A session.
US–Europe relations
Rubio’s speech focused largely on US-European relations. He said the United States may sometimes appear direct or harsh, but this stems from deep concern about both America’s and Europe’s future. He stressed that the US is tied to Europe not only through economic and military cooperation, but also spiritually and culturally.
“We want Europe to be strong. We believe that Europe must survive, because the two great wars of the last century serve as history’s constant reminder. Ultimately, our destiny is—and will always be—intertwined with yours,” Rubio said.
The Secretary of State also reaffirmed that the US remains committed to its alliance with Europe. Under the Trump administration, he said, Washington will take responsibility for renewing and rebuilding the West. Rubio argued that the United Nations has shown an inability to respond to certain modern challenges. However, he said the current system of international cooperation should not be abandoned, but instead updated so that the UN can continue serving as a force for good in the world.
Munich Security Conference
The 62nd Munich Security Conference began on February 13 and will run until February 15. The annual forum has taken place since 1963 and focuses on key challenges to international security. Around 1,000 participants from about 120 countries are attending the three-day event. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is leading Ukraine’s delegation. He is also holding meetings in Munich. Zelenskyy noted that, in addition to talks with partners, plans include the launch of the first joint Ukrainian-German drone manufacturing enterprise.
“I am confident that Ukraine is a strong partner – a good partner with real experience gained through this tragic war. We are ready to share it, ready to support Europe, and of course we count on strategic partnership with Germany and other European countries,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media.
Earlier, The Ukrainian Review reported on German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s speech at the Munich conference. He said Russia would agree to peace only after military and economic exhaustion.
