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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that Washington will continue efforts to help broker a negotiated settlement to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, warning that the conflict has reached a dangerous stalemate.
Speaking in Lisbon alongside Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel, Rubio said the military impasse could push one or both sides to escalate in an attempt to break the deadlock.
Any escalation between Moscow and Kyiv “could quickly turn what is a war between two countries into a much broader and far more dangerous regional conflict,” Rubio said during a stopover in Portugal at the end of a European tour.
“We have tried, and we will continue to try, and do what we can to facilitate a negotiated settlement to the end of that war,” he told reporters.
Rubio said the war, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, had reached a stage that could only end through diplomacy or expanded fighting.
“In the end, we do not believe that there is a military solution to this conflict, to this war,” he said, urging both sides to move toward negotiations.
Rubio warned that attempts by either side to break the military gridlock could trigger a “sabotage campaign” in neighboring NATO member states or broader strikes, rapidly transforming the war into a wider regional confrontation.
He said Washington remained ready to assist talks as soon as possible but cautioned that the United States would not support efforts that had no prospect of progress.
The U.S. is “not going to invest in pointless processes if we can’t make progress,” Rubio said.
He described the conflict as “an extremely dangerous war because frankly, right now, it seems to be at a stalemate.”
“And stalemates are very dangerous,” he said, warning that either side could be tempted to escalate.
Rubio said there had been attempts to reach a negotiated settlement and that Washington would “keep trying.”
Earlier Thursday, Ukraine accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians after 30 people were killed when two buses were blown up in the frontline city of Kramatorsk, in one of the deadliest single attacks in weeks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed that the attack “will not go unanswered.”
Rubio’s comments came as Washington and European allies continue to press for a diplomatic path while warning that further escalation could spread the impact of the war beyond Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin said Thursday that Russia believes a comprehensive settlement in Ukraine is necessary.
Speaking to journalists at a press briefing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow has repeatedly stated that “piecemeal solutions and agreements” to the ongoing war would prevent a comprehensive settlement from being reached.
“It is a highly complex matter, and the settlement must be comprehensive,” Peskov said, noting that a “freeze” of the conflict would not help either.
“We need a solution for future generations, one that is guaranteed and safeguarded against setbacks,” the spokesman said, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin had spoken about this, including at the Valdai Discussion Club.
Peskov went on to express Russia’s gratitude to India for showing interest in efforts toward a settlement in Ukraine.
“We welcome any attempts or efforts by states that might in any way contribute to a settlement regarding Ukraine, or help nudge the Kyiv regime and, above all, the Europeans, toward a peaceful phase,” he added.
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