U.S. Secretary of State Emphasizes Diplomacy in Russia-Ukraine Conflict at NATO Summit
By Kardo Roj
ANKARA, Turkey (North Press) – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that the United States remains committed to supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, as senior officials from both countries prepared to meet in Istanbul for the first direct peace talks in years.
Speaking at a NATO foreign ministers’ summit held in Turkey, Rubio stressed the importance of dialogue over force, calling on all sides to seize the opportunity to achieve a “sustainable end” to a conflict that has dragged on for more than three years.
“There is no military solution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” Rubio said. “This war will end through diplomatic means, not through battlefield victories.”
His remarks came just hours before a Russian delegation arrived in Istanbul for negotiations with Ukrainian officials — a significant development following a long diplomatic stalemate.
The Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported early Thursday that Moscow’s delegation landed in Istanbul to resume peace talks with Ukraine. The negotiations mark the first formal face-to-face engagement between the two sides since the collapse of earlier attempts in 2022, weeks after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
The current initiative, backed by Turkey and observed by NATO partners, aims to restart substantive negotiations amid rising global pressure to de-escalate the war, which has led to thousands of casualties, economic disruption across Europe, and an ongoing refugee crisis.
While neither side has publicly outlined the new negotiation framework, analysts believe that recent battlefield fatigue and shifting international dynamics may have nudged both Kyiv and Moscow toward the table.
Rubio’s appearance in Turkey was his first major multilateral address since taking office as Secretary of State earlier this year. His message sought to align the U.S. and NATO positions around diplomacy as the only viable path forward, even as some alliance members continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine.
“Much work remains ahead,” Rubio told the gathering of NATO ministers. “But we remain fully engaged in this process. The United States stands ready to support any credible mechanism that leads to a just and lasting peace.”
Rubio did not specify what such a mechanism might entail, but U.S. officials have in recent weeks suggested openness to a multilateral framework involving European and regional actors, including potential guarantees for Ukrainian sovereignty and security arrangements.
Hosting the talks is a strategic move for Turkey, which has long maintained channels with both Kyiv and Moscow. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has positioned Ankara as a mediator capable of balancing NATO commitments with pragmatic ties to Russia.
As the talks in Istanbul unfold, the international community will be watching closely for signs of progress. Any breakthrough could have far-reaching implications not only for Ukraine and Russia but also for global security, energy markets, and international alliances.
The U.S., under Secretary Rubio’s leadership, appears poised to support efforts that reduce tensions and strengthen diplomatic norms, reflecting a shift toward multilateral engagement after years of military and economic confrontation.