US–Ukraine in high-stakes talks as Trump envoy heads to Moscow amid pressure for Russia-war endgame
Tensions and diplomacy are colliding as the U.S. and Ukraine complete four hours of high-stakes talks aimed at shaping an endgame to the Russia–Ukraine war. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the discussions were “productive” but emphasized that major work remains, especially as Washington attempts to balance peace terms with long-term stability for Ukraine. The urgency escalates as President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, prepares to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow within days. With Ukraine facing internal pressure from a major corruption scandal and concerns about whether a U.S.-proposed plan leans too far toward Russian demands, the negotiations carry enormous weight. Rubio, Witkoff, and Jared Kushner met with Ukraine’s team to reassure Kyiv and push toward a deal Trump says has a “good chance” of happening.
00:00We had another very productive session building off Geneva, building off the events of this week.
00:04We don't just want to end the war, we also want to help Ukraine be safe forever,
00:08so never again will they face another invasion.
00:10And, equally importantly, we want them to enter an age of true prosperity.
00:14We want the Ukrainian people to emerge from this war, not just to rebuild their country,
00:18but to build it back in a way that will be stronger and more prosperous than it's ever been.
00:22It's about also the terms that set up Ukraine for long-term prosperity.
00:25This week, when Mr. Witkoff travels to Moscow, although we've also been in touch in varying degrees with the Russian side.
00:34Our objective is a prosperous, strong Ukraine.
00:38We were discussing about the future of Ukraine.
00:40This meeting was productive and successful.
00:43On the later stages, hopefully, we will keep you updated.
00:47All right, and I apologize because I'm pressed for time.
00:49I think we both are, but I just wanted to update you.
00:51We had another very productive session building off Geneva, building off the events of this week.
00:55As I told you earlier this morning, our goal here is to end the war, but it's more than just to end the war.
01:01We don't just want to end the war.
01:02We also want to help Ukraine be safe forever, so never again will they face another invasion.
01:07And, equally importantly, we want them to enter an age of true prosperity.
01:12We want the Ukrainian people to emerge from this war, not just to rebuild their country,
01:16but to build it back in a way that will be stronger and more prosperous than it's ever been.
01:19And so this is comprehensive, what we're working on here today.
01:22It's not just about the terms that ends fighting.
01:24It's about also the terms that set up Ukraine for long-term prosperity.
01:28I thought we started laying the groundwork for that, most certainly in Geneva.
01:31I think we continued that work in our communications throughout the week.
01:35I think we've built on that again today, but there's more work to be done.
01:37This is delicate.
01:38It's complicated.
01:39There are a lot of moving parts, and obviously there's another party involved here that will have to be a part of the equation.
01:44And that will continue later this week when Mr. Whitkoff travels to Moscow, although we've also been in touch in varying degrees with the Russian side.
01:54But we have a pretty good understanding of their views as well.
01:56So much work remains, but today was, again, a very productive and useful session where I think additional progress was made.
02:03And we continue to be realistic about how difficult this is, but optimistic, particularly given the fact that as we've made progress,
02:10I think there is a shared vision here that this is not just about ending the war, which is very important.
02:15It is about securing Ukraine's future, a future that we hope will be more prosperous than it's ever been.
02:19Yeah, once again, we are grateful to American people, American leadership, and a great team with the State Secretary, Steve Whitkoff, Jared Kushner,
02:32for their tremendous work with us.
02:35Our objective is a prosperous, strong Ukraine.
02:39We were discussing about the future of Ukraine.
02:41We discussed all the important matters that are important for Ukraine, for Ukrainian people, and the U.S. was super supportive.
02:52We worked.
02:53We already had a successful meeting in Geneva, and today we continue this success.
02:58So at the moment, this meeting was productive and successful.
03:03On the later stages, hopefully, we will keep you updated.
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