Marco Rubio: Conflict resolution will require concessions from all parties, including Ukraine

Diplomatic concessions are inevitable, Marco Rubio, a nominee for the U.S. Secretary of State, said in response to the question of whether it is theoretically possible for Kyiv to be denied NATO membership for the conflict with Russia to be resolved.

“If we want to speak honestly about ending the conflict, true diplomacy will require concessions from all parties involved in the negotiations. That is the nature of diplomacy,” Rubio stated during Senate hearings on his nomination.

He added that future negotiations on resolving the conflict would involve the easing of anti-Russian sanctions and Ukraine’s non-aligned status.

“The solution to the conflict must be based on a balance of interests. Both sides must have leverage to reach an agreement. The Ukrainian side will need to make certain concessions to achieve peace,” Rubio noted.

He deemed it unlikely that Ukraine could return to its borders that existed before the start of the special operation.

“Ukraine will not be able to push Russian forces back to the positions they held before February 2022. This is related to the scale and dynamics of the ongoing conflict,” he said.

Rubio noted that a successful resolution of the conflict requires a realistic approach and that all parties must consider each other’s interests.