Trump's Ukraine peace push falters amid Russian demands, US doubts

"We'd love to see a negotiated settlement to this war that is permanent, enduring, and fair. And that's what we're committed to continuing to do," Rubio told reporters during a visit to Portugal. He added that escalations could spark a wider conflict, potentially turning the war into a much broader and far more dangerous regional conflict.

President Donald Trump's administration has recently sought to revive talks to end the conflict, with Ukrainian negotiators set to visit the U.S. for talks. However, Russia demands full control over Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast without fighting, a demand Kyiv has rejected. Moscow has also rejected a ceasefire and demanded Kyiv surrender the Donbas region.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated on Oct. 7 that there were currently no plans for U.S.-mediated talks between Russia and Ukraine. The latest effort began in early September when Trump's envoys traveled to Kyiv and Moscow seeking progress. An agreement in principle was reached for a trilateral meeting between Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S., but President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that Ukraine would support such meetings only if Russia also supported them.