Foreign Minister Rubio Values Trump-Putin Needs To Meet To End Russia-Ukraine War

JAKARTA - United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday the only breakthrough way to end Russia's war in Ukraine was through direct talks between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking to reporters in Antalya, Foreign Minister Rubio said he would travel to Istanbul for Friday's meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Ukrainian delegation, but said he had no high hopes for the talks.

"I don't think we will get a breakthrough here until the president (Trump) and President Putin interact directly on this topic," Foreign Minister Rubio said, echoing previous comments from President Trump.

The US top diplomat described the current state of talks to end the war as a "endum," saying President Trump was the only person who could solve it.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has traveled to Turkey, following President Putin's proposal regarding negotiations there.

Later, the Kremlin's leader decided not to travel there, sending Kremlin officials and deputy ministers to Istanbul.

Foreign Minister Rubio said the level of officials sent by Russia did not show any breakthrough, but said President Trump was willing to continue to negotiate as long as necessary to achieve peace.

When asked if any efforts were being made to bring together Presidents Trump and Putin, Foreign Minister Rubio said the White House leader would make a decision after his trip to the Gulf region ended.

"Maybe we'll wait until he completes his trip, we'll wait to see what happens tomorrow (today), and then the decision will be made about the timeline," he said.