Russia-Ukraine conflict persists, with JD Vance commenting on its prolonged nature; he urges both parties to exercise reason, as Putin launches another wave of drone attacks.

Russia-Ukraine conflict persists, with JD Vance commenting on its prolonged nature; he urges both parties to exercise reason, as Putin launches another wave of drone attacks.

Rewritten Article:

US Vice President JD Vance has asserted there's no end in sight for the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict as Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledges that President Donald Trump needs a swift breakthrough in the ceasefire negotiations.

In a candid interview on Fox News last night, Vance declared, "It's not going anywhere, Bret. It's not going to end any time soon."

He went on to express his doubt over the prospect of an immediate ceasefire, citing the need for both Russia and Ukraine to "take the final step" and "come to their senses."

Taking a somewhat dismissive tone, Vance questioned, "Are we going to continue to lose thousands and thousands of soldiers over a few miles of territory this or that way?"

Meanwhile, Rubio—who now serves as the acting US national security adviser following Mike Waltz's resignation—warned Trump that a significant breakthrough would be essential if negotiations were to make headway soon.

"I think we know where Ukraine is, and we know where Russia is right now... They're closer, but they're still far apart," he said during an interview on Fox News' Hannity program.

These frank admissions from Washington's top officials came mere hours after Kyiv and Washington signed a landmark deal that provides the US with preferential access to Ukrainian minerals.

The agreement, yet to be approved by the Ukrainian Parliament, will offer substantial gains for Washington while largely sparing Ukraine from the exploitative terms initially proposed by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent earlier this year.

Bessent emphasized that the agreement signifies the Trump administration's commitment to supporting a "free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine" in the long term. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal "truly historic."

However, Russia remained silent on the signing of the agreement and continued its relentless attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian positions overnight.

Insights: The Road to a Potential Ceasefire

The ongoing discussions surrounding a potential ceasefire involve several critical elements:

1. Duration of Ceasefire: Ukraine advocates for at least a 30-day truce to facilitate negotiations for a just peace, but Russia has yet to agree to such an extended truce.
2. Territorial Concessions: Russia demands that Ukraine withdraw from territories in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson oblasts and abandon its NATO membership aspirations.
3. Peace Negotiations: The US has proposed terms for peace negotiations, but specifics remain undisclosed. The responsibility for striking a deal seems to lie with both Russia and Ukraine.

Key Figures' Views on Peace Negotiations

Vladimir Putin (Russia)

• Ceasefire Durations: While announcing short-term ceasefires, such as the three-day ceasefire for Victory Day, Putin is seen as expressing a willingness to negotiate without imposing preconditions.
• Preconditions for Discussions: Despite appearing open to negotiations, Putin continuously insists on Ukrainian territorial concessions and the abandonment of NATO membership aspirations as prerequisites for meaningful talks.

Marco Rubio (US Secretary of State)

• Negotiation Preconditions: Rubio has not publicly echoed Russia's insistence on specific preconditions, instead advocating for an end to indiscriminate attacks on Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire.
• Negotiation Framework: Rubio's engagement with Sergei Lavrov highlights the need for a framework to begin negotiations, although specifics remain scarce.

JD Vance (US Vice President)

• Hope for a Resolution: Vance maintains hope for ending the conflict, but emphasizes that the ultimate responsibility for attaining peace lies with Russia and Ukraine.
• Negotiation Responsibility: Vance underscores the need for both nations to make the final step and "come to their senses" before a resolution can be reached.

1. US Vice President JD Vance has expressed doubt about an immediate ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, stating that it's not going to end anytime soon.
2. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that a significant breakthrough in ceasefire negotiations is essential for making headway in the current situation.
3. The ongoing discussions for a potential ceasefire involve the duration of the truce, territorial concessions, and peace negotiations, with the responsibility for striking a deal seemingly shared by both Russia and Ukraine.
4. Vladimir Putin, while expressing a willingness to negotiate, has insisted on Ukrainian territorial concessions and abandonment of NATO membership aspirations as preconditions for meaningful talks.
5. On the other hand, Marco Rubio has not publicly echoed Russia's insistence on specific preconditions, instead advocating for an end to indiscriminate attacks on Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire.

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