Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that negotiations to end Russia’s war against Ukraine have lost “some momentum” in recent months — even as Kyiv grows increasingly confident in its battlefield position.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Rubio said President Donald Trump remains determined to bring the grinding conflict to an end, describing the war as devastating, costly and ultimately “pointless.”
According to Rubio, both Ukraine and Russia continue suffering staggering losses while diplomatic efforts have slowed.
“The Russians lose 15,000 to 20,000 soldiers every month in the line of duty. Not wounded, but dead,” Rubio said.
“This is a bad war. And we are ready, the president is ready, his team is ready to facilitate a diplomatic end to the war. Unfortunately, over the past few months we have lost some momentum for various reasons.”
Rubio said Ukraine’s resilience through the winter months has boosted confidence in Kyiv, while Russia has drawn optimism from rising global oil prices that continue helping prop up Moscow’s war machine.
“In his opinion, Ukrainians are becoming more confident in their position on the battlefield – they have survived the winter,” the interview noted.
At the same time, Rubio painted a grim picture of the long-term economic toll facing both countries.
He warned Ukraine could need decades to rebuild from the destruction caused by the conflict, while also stressing that damage to the Russian economy has been “extraordinary.”
Despite the slowdown in negotiations, Rubio expressed hope that both sides could soon return to the table.
“The Secretary of State expressed hope that ‘we will soon reach a point where both sides are engaged in negotiations again, and we are ready to play the role of mediator and bring this to a conclusion.’”
Rubio also argued the United States remains uniquely positioned to broker a settlement between Moscow and Kyiv.
“I think we are the only country in the world that can do this,” Rubio emphasized.
“If someone else wants to try, let them try, but both sides tell us that we are the only ones who can do it.”
“At the end of the day, the president wants to see an end to the war, and if there’s anything he or we can do to help that happen, we will.”
The comments underscore the Trump administration’s ongoing effort to position itself as the central diplomatic player in one of the world’s deadliest and most economically disruptive conflicts.
Rubio also discusses his recent meeting with Pope Leo XIV.
Watch the clip above.
