Yasin Gungor
08 October 2026•Update: 08 October 2026
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday that Washington will continue efforts to help broker a negotiated settlement to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
"We have tried, and we will continue to try, and do what we can to facilitate a negotiated settlement to the end of that war," Rubio told reporters during an appearance in Lisbon with Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel.
Speaking on the final stop of his European tour, Rubio warned that the war has reached a dangerous impasse that can only conclude through diplomacy or expanded fighting.
He cautioned that attempts by either party to break the military gridlock could trigger a “sabotage campaign” in neighboring NATO member states or wider strikes, rapidly transforming the fighting into a far broader and more "dangerous" regional clash.
"In the end, we do not believe that there is a military solution to this conflict, to this war," he said, urging both parties to approach the negotiating table.
While reaffirming Washington's readiness to assist talks as soon as possible, Rubio stressed that the US is "not going to invest in pointless processes if we can't make progress."
