Marco Rubio skips crucial Ukraine ceasefire talks in London
- Marco Rubio is not attending peace talks in London aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine due to logistical issues.
- Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Kyiv would not accept any deal recognizing Moscow's control of Crimea.
- The downgrading of the talks indicates tensions remain high, and the US may withdraw from negotiations without progress.
On April 23, 2025, significant discussions aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine were scheduled to take place in London, but the engagement was downgraded due to the absence of key officials. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed they would not attend, leading to a diminished atmosphere for the planned ministerial debates. The diplomatic efforts were intended to consider a ceasefire proposal that would involve Russia's recognition of its control over Crimea, a critical and controversial aspect. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky had already stated that Kyiv would reject any agreement legitimizing Russian claims over Crimea, aligning with Ukraine’s constitutional provisions against recognizing the annexation made in 2014.