**US Secretary of State Pick Says Both Sides Must Make Concessions to End Ukraine War**
Marco Rubio, the US President-elect Donald Trump‘s pick for secretary of state, said that both Russia and Ukraine will have to make concessions to end the war. He made this statement on January 15 at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Rubio suggested that Russia’s concession would be not to advance further into Ukraine, while Ukraine’s concession would be giving back its territories currently under Russian occupation. He also emphasized the importance of balance in these concessions.
The war between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing since 2014, with Russia occupying about 20% of Ukrainian territory. Rubio stated that it is unrealistic for Russia to take over all of Ukraine, as the country is too big and the Ukrainians are brave and determined fighters.
Rubio also praised the bravery of Ukrainian defenders but voted against a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine in April 2024. He has expressed concerns about President Joe Biden’s administration’s policy regarding assistance to Ukraine, stating that the White House has not been clear about how the conflict will end.
As the top US diplomat, Rubio would be at the forefront of potential peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. He acknowledged that concessions will be necessary from both sides to bring an end to the war.
**Captured North Korean Soldiers**
Ukrainian forces operating in Russia’s Kursk Oblast have finally captured two North Korean soldiers. Capturing these soldiers is a challenging task, but Ukrainian forces were ultimately successful.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukraine’s military now comprises 880,000 soldiers, tasked with defending the entire country against 600,000 Russian troops concentrated in specific areas.
**Russian Aggression**
The continued presence of officials with ties to Russia in the Ukrainian government has been highlighted. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that these acts are versions of the war that Russia has declared to the whole world, not just Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that some captured soldiers have serious injuries and illnesses. Russian missiles hit critical infrastructure in Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk Oblasts, but there were no reports of casualties.
**Other Developments**
Russia’s state-controlled energy giant Gazprom halted gas supplies to Moldova on January 1, citing alleged unpaid debts by Moldovagaz. This decision aims to pressure Moscow by signaling that funds could only be reclaimed through negotiations with Ukraine.
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