Rubio Skips Key Ukraine Meeting with European Leaders at Munich Summit
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has notably skipped a Berlin Format meeting on Ukraine held on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, as reported by the Financial Times. Rubio had been expected to join leaders from nearly a dozen European countries, including Germany, Poland, and Finland, alongside officials from the European Commission and NATO. However, he cancelled at the last minute, citing scheduling conflicts, according to US officials.
European Leaders Express Disappointment Over US Absence
One European official described the cancellation as "insane", while another noted that without US participation, the meeting lacked substantive impact. This move comes amid broader strains in transatlantic relations, with concerns in European capitals that Washington may be recalibrating its approach to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Despite this, Rubio is set to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, highlighting continued US engagement on the issue.
Zelensky's Conditional Agreement on Elections
In a related development, Zelensky has agreed to hold elections if former President Donald Trump manages to push Russian President Vladimir Putin to a ceasefire. In an interview with Politico on Friday, Zelensky stated that elections would be a "great idea" and clarified that conducting them would not necessarily require an end to the war, but rather a ceasefire lasting two to three months. This follows Trump's recent warning to Zelensky to "get moving" if he wants to reach a peace deal with Moscow.
Upcoming Diplomatic Talks in Geneva
The next round of trilateral talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the US is scheduled for Geneva next week, as confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. These discussions come as the war approaches its fourth year, with ongoing fighting along the front lines and continued strikes on infrastructure. Ukrainian officials have indicated that the US is increasing pressure for progress towards a deal, with Trump publicly advocating for an agreement to end the invasion.
Additional Diplomatic Engagements and Regional Impact
Separately, two sets of diplomatic talks are expected in Geneva on Tuesday: one on Iran and another on the Ukraine-Russia conflict. A US delegation, including envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will meet Iranian officials in the morning, with Omani mediators present, before participating in trilateral talks with Russian and Ukrainian representatives in the afternoon. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian missile attack in the Russian city of Belgorod killed two people and injured five on Friday, highlighting the ongoing violence near the border.
As the Munich Security Conference continues, efforts to end the war remain a top priority, with European leaders like Sir Keir Starmer also engaging in talks. The conference underscores the shifting geopolitical landscape, with Rubio warning that the "old world is gone" ahead of his anticipated meeting with Zelensky. The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic maneuvers and military actions shaping the path forward in this protracted conflict.
