Why Did Rubio Keep Details of US-Ukraine Geneva Talks Secret?
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Key Takeaways
Geneva, Nov 24 (NationPress) After engaging in further discussions with the Ukrainian delegation, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio chose not to disclose any specifics regarding the day's negotiations in Geneva involving the United States, Ukraine, and European allies on a comprehensive 28-point peace plan.
During a press conference held on Sunday at approximately 6 p.m. local time, representatives from both the US and Ukrainian sides acknowledged achieving "progress" in prior discussions concerning the US-endorsed strategy aimed at resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While they informed journalists to anticipate updates later in the evening, only Rubio resurfaced before the media two and a half hours later.
He stated that he was not ready to disclose any details about the specific matters under negotiation, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Rubio emphasized that the day's discussions had been "productive," expressing a "very optimistic" outlook on finalizing an agreement within a "very reasonable timeframe soon." However, he cautioned that "There’s no agreement yet … (some) require higher-level decisions and consultation." He added that the differences pertain to semantics or language, indicating that several issues still "require more time to be resolved."
"The unresolved items are not insurmountable," he stressed. He noted that some topics involve equities or the roles of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, necessitating further dialogue with European partners.
The Ukrainian delegation did not return for a follow-up briefing.
After the talks concluded, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on social media that it was crucial to ensure the effectiveness of "steps to end the war and that everything is achievable."