On October 9, 2026, in Portugal, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a concerning warning that the war between Russia and Ukraine has reached a dangerous stalemate. According to him, there are only two possible exits from this situation: negotiations or escalation of the conflict.
Negotiations as a Path to Peace
Rubio emphasized that to achieve peace, each side must be willing to make compromises. He expressed hope that the risk of escalation would encourage both parties to come to the negotiating table. The Secretary of State noted that the US is ready to facilitate the peace process but will not waste resources on futile actions if they cannot make progress.
Risks of Conflict Escalation
The second option for exiting the stalemate, according to Rubio, involves escalating the conflict. This scenario is particularly dangerous as it could lead to a campaign of sabotage in neighboring countries that are members of NATO. The Secretary of State stressed that further escalation could have serious consequences for the region and international security.