**Trump–Putin Meeting Depends on Progress in Ukraine Conflict**
The United States and Russia may hold a meeting between their leaders, but it depends on progress in ending the war in Ukraine. This was said by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rubio made these comments during an interview with journalist Catherine Herridge. He discussed the possibility of a meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin with Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister.
Trump had previously said he would “probably” meet Putin before the end of February. However, Rubio is uncertain about the timing and noted that there won’t be a meeting unless there’s something to discuss.
The two countries met in Saudi Arabia on February 18, but no decisions were made regarding peace talks. Ukraine was not included in these discussions, which caused concern among European leaders.
**Testing Russia’s Commitment**
Rubio expressed uncertainty about whether Moscow is serious about ending the war. He suggested that the U.S. should test Russia’s commitment by engaging with them and asking if they are serious about ending the conflict.
“If so, what are their demands? Are their public demands and private demands different?” Rubio asked.
**Peace Talks**
Rubio noted that the necessity for peace talks is the only thing the U.S. and Russia agree on. He added that it will depend on what Moscow offers to determine whether they are serious about peace.
“Their offer, what they’re willing to give up, what they’re willing to consider will determine whether they’re serious about peace or not,” Rubio said.
**No Plans to Impose U.S.-Russia Deals**
Rubio also informed European officials that the Trump administration has no plans to impose any bilateral agreements with Russia on Ukraine and Europe. He clarified that Washington understands Russia may try to use these talks to split the West or weaken Moscow’s isolation.
However, Rubio noted that Washington would not lift sanctions against Russia without a marked change in their stance. He did mention a possible limited easing of some sanctions if Moscow takes steps wanted by the U.S. administration.
**Ukraine and Europe Concerned**
Ukraine has expressed concerns about Trump’s push to mediate a peace agreement with Russia while using increasingly hostile rhetoric towards Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky called for strong agreements that will really work.
Meanwhile, European leaders are worried about the possibility of Trump making concessions to secure a deal on ending war with Russia.
The conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues, with recent attacks by Russian forces causing concern. The situation remains complex and uncertain, as both sides engage in negotiations that may or may not lead to peace talks.
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