**Marco Rubio expresses hope that a cease-fire in Ukraine could be achieved within days if Russia cooperates, as discussions continue among G7 allies in Canada.**
**Rubio Optimistic About Imminent Cease-Fire in Ukraine Conflict**
**Rubio Optimistic About Imminent Cease-Fire in Ukraine Conflict**
**Secretary of State urges G7 diplomats to push for an end to hostilities.**
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated on Wednesday that a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine could be within reach if Russian officials are willing to negotiate. He stated that in the coming days, neither side should be firing weapons, and that the focus of the G7 diplomatic discussions in Canada should be on ending the ongoing conflict.
During a refueling stop in Ireland en route to Canada from Saudi Arabia, Rubio communicated his vision for an immediate cessation of hostilities. “Here’s what we’d like the world to look like in a few days: Neither side is shooting at each other — not rockets, not missiles, not bullets, nothing, not artillery,” he explained to reporters. He emphasizes the need to halt violence and initiate dialogue.
He also addressed concerns over potential tension with U.S. allies related to President Trump’s recent tariffs, including a contentious proposal for potential annexation of Canada. Rubio reassured that discussions at the G7 summit would not include such controversial topics, stating, “That’s not what we’re going to discuss at the G7… We have a lot of other things we work on together.”
Rubio had met with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to formulate a strategy for initiating negotiations with Russia. The conflict, which escalated to a full-scale invasion by Russia in 2022, began with the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. Following discussions, Ukrainian representatives announced their agreement to a proposed 30-day interim cease-fire. The U.S. has resumed military assistance to Ukraine after a previous lull imposed by the Trump administration, which had sought to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into negotiations.
As the diplomatic efforts continue, both sides remain hopeful for a path toward peace that refrains from further violence.
