Putin Key to Peace: U.S. Secretary of State Rubio Says Ukraine War Cannot End Without Russia

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stressed that resolving the Ukraine conflict is impossible without Russian President Vladimir Putin. In an interview with ABC News, Rubio said, “Putin is already on the world stage. He controls the world’s largest tactical nuclear arsenal and the second-largest strategic nuclear arsenal. He has been a central figure for years.”

Rubio dismissed concerns that engaging Putin gives him more recognition, arguing that global media has already kept Putin in the spotlight for the last four to five years. “There will be no peace deal, no end to the war, if Putin is excluded from the process. That is just common sense,” he added.

This statement comes shortly after the high-stakes Alaska Summit on August 15, where Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump met at a military base. The three-hour meeting began with a one-on-one talk inside Trump’s limousine, followed by a “3-on-3” closed-door session.

On the Russian side, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov joined Putin. The U.S. delegation included Rubio and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.

After the talks, Putin said Ukraine was the central topic, urging for a “new chapter in U.S.-Russia relations” and inviting Trump to Moscow. Trump described the discussions as “progress,” but admitted no final agreement was reached.