European leaders are traveling to the White House this week to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. officials, signaling continued American involvement in peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told “Face the Nation” on Sunday that the leaders’ visit is part of a coordinated effort, not a response to any pressure on Zelenskyy.
“They’re not coming here tomorrow to keep Zelenskyy from being bullied. This is such a stupid media narrative,” Rubio said. “We’ve been working with these people for weeks. We invited them to come. The president invited them to come.” (RELATED: Trump Kicks Zelenskyy Out Of White House After Oval Office Blow Up)
Rubio said any potential peace deal would require concessions on both sides.
“If there aren’t concessions, if one side gets everything they want, that’s called surrender. That’s not what we’re close to doing,” Rubio said.
Rubio also addressed key issues in the negotiations, including Ukraine’s security guarantees, territorial disputes, and the ongoing crisis of abducted children. Rubio said that Russia’s strikes and military buildup continue, making diplomacy both urgent and difficult.
The White House meetings follow direct talks between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. Rubio described the discussions as showing “enough movement to justify a follow-up meeting with Zelenskyy and the Europeans,” though he said the outcome remains uncertain.
