Edith Hejberg
The heart of the current conflict lies in the remaining 20% of Ukraine’s Donetsk region, which continues to be fiercely contested.
Ukraine and Russia are now locked in intense fighting over a stretch of just 30 to 50 kilometers, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity, Rubio described the scale of the battlefront as “literal,” underscoring how concentrated the conflict has become in the final contested areas of eastern Ukraine.
Donetsk region remains the core dispute
The heart of the current conflict lies in the remaining 20% of Ukraine’s Donetsk region, which continues to be fiercely contested.
Rubio explained that this area remains one of the key unresolved issues in ongoing discussions about a possible peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow.
Washington’s focus: Ukraine’s future security
Rubio said the U.S. is working to help Ukraine secure long-term guarantees that would protect it from future invasions.
“What we are trying to do… is to understand what the Ukrainians could agree to,” he said, pointing to a peace framework that would enable Ukraine not only to recover, but to thrive economically in the long term.
A vision of Ukraine surpassing Russia
“If everything is done correctly,” Rubio noted, Ukraine’s gross domestic product could outpace Russia’s within a decade.
He framed the war as not only a territorial fight, but a larger struggle for Ukraine’s future independence and economic prosperity.
A fight to remain sovereign—not a puppet
The broader U.S. aim, Rubio stressed, is to ensure Ukraine remains a truly sovereign state, not a satellite or puppet controlled by Moscow.
Preserving Kyiv’s independence is a top priority in any peace negotiation, he said.
Ukrainian resistance changed the course of war
Rubio praised Ukraine’s military efforts, noting that Russia once controlled significantly more territory.
“The Ukrainians achieved enormous success due to the courage, bravery, and ferocity with which they fought,” he said, crediting the resilience of Ukrainian forces for turning the tide.
A brutal war of attrition
Despite Ukraine’s gains, the war has become a grinding stalemate. Rubio described it as a war of attrition, where progress is slow and costly.
He warned that Russia is willing to endure heavy losses, reportedly sacrificing up to 7,000 soldiers each week to inch forward.
Putin remains committed to his goals
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled that he’s prepared for a drawn-out conflict. Rubio quoted Putin as saying, “It may take a long time… but we will achieve our goals.”
According to Rubio, this reflects Russia’s strategy of outlasting Ukraine and the West, regardless of the human cost.
Peace talks still face major obstacles
Rubio acknowledged the diplomatic push behind the scenes but noted that major issues remain unresolved.
Chief among them is the status of Donetsk, where Russia demands a Ukrainian military withdrawal, a condition Kyiv flatly rejects.
Kremlin hosts high-level peace meeting
This week, peace negotiations resumed at the Kremlin, with representatives from both the U.S. and Ukraine attending.
The American delegation included Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the former president’s son-in-law, who presented Putin with a revised peace proposal.
US and Ukrainian teams collaborated on plan
The updated peace framework was reportedly developed in coordination between the American and Ukrainian teams.
While details remain confidential, Rubio emphasized the effort is focused on securing Ukraine’s independence while finding a resolution both sides can accept.
Russia says no compromise—yet
Following the latest round of talks, Russian presidential advisor Yuri Ushakov stated that “a compromise has not yet been found.”
The statement suggests negotiations remain difficult, with deep divides still separating Moscow and Kyiv on key issues.
War outcome hinges on diplomacy—and endurance
As the fighting grinds on over a shrinking front, Rubio’s remarks highlight a sobering reality: both sides remain far apart on peace, and Russia appears willing to absorb steep losses.
The outcome may ultimately depend as much on diplomatic resilience as military strength.
