Rubio says a Ukraine-Russia ceasefire deal is 'not off the table'

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that a temporary ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia is “not off the table,” even though U.S., Ukrainian and Russian leaders agree that the best outcome is a peace deal that permanently ends the war.“It was agreed to by all that the best way to end this conflict is through a full peace deal,” Rubio told NBC News’ “Meet the Press.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that a temporary ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia is “not off the table,” even though U.S., Ukrainian and Russian leaders agree that the best outcome is a peace deal that permanently ends the war.

“It was agreed to by all that the best way to end this conflict is through a full peace deal,” Rubio told NBC News’ “Meet the Press.” “There’s no doubt about that. I mean, who would be against the fact that tomorrow we came to you and said, ‘We have a full peace deal, and it’s done.’ I think that’s the best way to end the war.”

“Now, whether there needs to be a ceasefire on the way there, well, we’ve advocated for that,” Rubio added. “Unfortunately, the Russians, as of now, have not agreed to that.”

Rubio’s comments come days after President Donald Trump returned from Alaska, where he met for several hours with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a delegation of Russian leaders.

The fact that neither Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy nor any representative from Ukraine were present for the discussions did not dim U.S. officials’ hopes that they could push Putin toward a ceasefire agreement or a peace deal.