Washington, D.C. — August 17, 2025
In a high-stakes interview on CBS’s Face the Nation, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the fallout from President Trump’s recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. The summit ended without a ceasefire, but with renewed calls for a negotiated peace in Ukraine.
Rubio acknowledged that Putin’s demands—including territorial concessions and cultural recognition—remain contentious. “Ultimately, yes, Russia invaded,” Rubio said, when pressed about the root cause of the war. “But what Putin calls ‘root causes’ are long-standing grievances about Western encroachment.”
Rubio emphasized that the U.S. is not dictating terms but facilitating dialogue. “It’s up to Ukraine to decide what peace looks like,” he said, adding that both sides must make difficult concessions to end the conflict.
- No ceasefire yet: Talks yielded no formal agreement, but negotiations continue.
- Putin’s demands: Control over Donetsk, recognition of Russian language and Orthodox churches in Ukraine.
- U.S. stance: Supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty while pushing for a diplomatic resolution.
- Upcoming meetings: President Trump to host Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and European leaders in Washington.
Rubio praised the administration’s commitment to ending the war, calling it “the biggest conflict in Europe since World War II.” He also warned of potential new sanctions on Russia if peace talks stall.