Ukraine-Russia peace plan still faces major hurdles, RUBIO says

Sunday, December 21, 2025 -As efforts to end the nearly four‑year war between Ukraine and Russia continue, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sounded a stark warning: despite diplomatic progress, a peace plan remains far from agreement. 

Rubio stressed there has been measurable advancement in talks between Washington, Kyiv, and international partners, but significant challenges on core issues — especially territorial control and security guarantees — persist, underscoring that the negotiation process is still at a critical juncture.

Diplomats met this week in Miami and Geneva, with U.S. and Russian representatives holding constructive discussions and Ukrainian officials backing continued engagement on a U.S.‑backed framework for peace. 

However, Russia has been firm on demands for territorial concessions, and intelligence assessments indicate President Vladimir Putin remains committed to broader war aims, complicating prospects for a comprehensive deal. Ukraine rejects ceding territory, leaving both sides deeply divided over the fundamental terms of any agreement.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has publicly expressed skepticism about the peace process’s momentum, saying recent European and Ukrainian changes to U.S. proposals have not improved the chances of a lasting settlement. 

With fighting ongoing and key stakeholders far apart on essential elements of peace, Rubio says the work ahead is intense and uncertain — and that the diplomatic window may narrow quickly without tangible breakthroughs.