Rubio Intervention Shifts Ukraine Peace Talks,Buoys European and Ukrainian Hopes
ABU DHABI/WASHINGTON – A revised peace plan for Ukraine,now reportedly 19 points long,has emerged from recent negotiations,reflecting increased consideration of Ukrainian and European concerns,according to a source from a NATO country. the shift follows intervention by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, who appears to have stalled a previous 28-point plan favored by those advocating reduced American support for Kyiv.
Talks continued in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, led by Dan Driscoll, a senior Pentagon executive and close ally of Vice President JD Vance. Last week,Driscoll visited Kyiv,reportedly suggesting that continued U.S. aid hinged on Ukraine’s acceptance of the 28-point plan.
The dynamic reflects a split within the U.S. government regarding Ukraine policy.While Vance has long favored reduced U.S. engagement, Rubio’s influence has seemingly aligned with a more supportive stance. This shift coincided with a sudden expression of optimism from former President Donald Trump following the weekend’s negotiations.
Trump, who has consistently signaled a desire to end the war, reportedly directed Jared Kushner and Avi Witkoff to focus on Ukraine after achieving a breakthrough in Gaza. Increased American pressure on ukrainian president Zelenskyi also followed the revelation of a corruption scandal leading to the resignation of several Ukrainian ministers.
Russian president Vladimir Putin is reportedly ”not happy” with the changes to the peace plan, with the Kremlin already signaling its displeasure. Putin reportedly seeks a settlement resulting in a weakened Ukraine or a scenario where the U.S. withdraws support, leaving European nations to address the conflict independently.
A previously anticipated Thursday deadline for Zelenskyi to respond to a proposal no longer appears to be in effect, though a meeting between Zelenskyi and Trump in the U.S. is expected. Putin is reportedly hoping for a public proclamation from Trump via his Truth social platform indicating a change in U.S. foreign policy leadership.
For a period last week, Putin appeared poised to secure an agreement based on the 28-point plan, but Rubio’s intervention is credited with halting that momentum. The Kremlin continues to attempt to portray Ukraine as an obstacle to Trump’s desired peace.