**US State Secretary Doubts Meaningful Progress in Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks**
The US State Secretary, Marco Rubio, has expressed doubts about the success of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey. Speaking to reporters on May 15, Rubio said that the low-level Russian delegation attending the talks was “not indicative” of a major breakthrough.
Rubio’s comments came as the two sides gathered in Turkey for negotiations aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine. However, with Russia sending a team led by its aide, Vladimir Medinsky, instead of President Vladimir Putin, doubts about the seriousness of Moscow’s intentions have been raised.
In order to achieve meaningful progress, Rubio believes that direct involvement from US President Donald Trump is necessary. This idea was echoed earlier in the day by Trump himself. The State Secretary also mentioned that he would meet with Ukraine’s senior delegation and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, while other lower-level members of the US team would attend talks involving Russian representatives.
**A Breakthrough Requires Direct Presidential Involvement**
Rubio emphasized that the process of negotiations was less important than the outcome. He stated that the goal is to achieve peace, regardless of whether it starts with a 30-day ceasefire, a one-day ceasefire, or a final deal reached in a single day. This sentiment was shared by Trump, who expressed his impatience to end the war.
The talks themselves have been stalled since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. In fact, there has only been one direct meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin – during the Normandy Four meeting in France in 2019.
**A Conditional Ceasefire Proposal Ignored by Russia**
Kyiv and its allies have proposed an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting on May 12 as a first step towards peace. However, this proposal has been ignored by Russia so far. The current state of affairs raises questions about Moscow’s true intentions and willingness to engage in genuine negotiations.
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