Rubio Says U.S. Seeks Full Ukraine Peace Deal, Not Ceasefire

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Biden administration’s priority in the Russia-Ukraine conflict is to secure a comprehensive peace agreement rather than a temporary ceasefire. “The only way to end this war is to get Russia—along with Ukraine—to agree to a peace deal,” Rubio told reporters on Sunday, adding that officials are “ultimately aiming for an end to this war.” Rubio’s remarks underline Washington’s push for a negotiated settlement that would formally conclude hostilities, a stance he said has been endorsed by President Donald Trump. The secretary stressed that while ceasefires can pause fighting, they fail to address the underlying dispute. He reiterated the administration’s view that Moscow’s participation is essential, characterizing Russian agreement as the decisive step toward a lasting resolution. The comments come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reportedly rejected entering peace talks before a ceasefire is in place. Rubio’s statement positions the United States at odds with Kyiv’s sequencing preference, signaling potential diplomatic friction as the war approaches its fourth year.