Rubio: US Needs Moscow at Table to End War
The US Secretary of State defended inviting Russia to the G20, stating that direct dialogue is essential for a negotiated peace in Ukraine.
By Christopher Singh ·
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended Washington's decision to invite Russia to G20 events, stating that the United States must maintain direct contact with Moscow to secure a peaceful end to the war in Ukraine. Rubio spoke on Friday in Atlanta following the G20 ministerial meeting.
Rubio addressed criticism from European allies regarding the presence of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the ministerial meeting. He also addressed the invitation for Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 summit in Miami this December. Rubio argued that a negotiated settlement is impossible without the ability to speak with both conflicting parties.
"In order to end the war in Ukraine peacefully, you're going to have to have a negotiated settlement," Rubio said. "How can you have a negotiated settlement between Russia and Ukraine if you don't have the ability to talk to both Russia and Ukraine?"
The Secretary of State emphasized that engaging with Russia does not mean the United States approves of its actions. He noted that the US and Russia are both nuclear powers, making ongoing communication necessary to prevent dangerous escalation. Rubio described Lavrov's attendance as a chance to keep lines of communication open with the Russian system.
"As I've said to you earlier in my conversations, the president does not view meeting with someone or talking to someone as legitimising everything they do or everything they stand for," Rubio said. He added that the US speaks with Ukraine as much or more than it speaks with Russia, but that the US is prepared to mediate if it can facilitate a deal.
European leaders have raised concerns about the format of the G20 events. EU Chief Diplomat Kaja Kallas stated that Lavrov's comments did not show Russia is ready for peace talks. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband also criticized Lavrov during the meeting. Lavrov arrived in the United States on October 30 for the ministerial session.
The G20 summit is scheduled for December in Miami, where a meeting between Putin and President Trump may take place. Rubio maintained that the US wants to see a peace deal and believes dialogue with Moscow is the only viable path to achieving it.
