Rubio states U.S. readiness for mediation following Russian threats of "systemic strikes" on Kyiv
Kyiv • UNN
Marco Rubio stated the U.S. is ready for mediation in the war. This comes after Russia's threats to attack Kyiv and "decision-making centers."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that Washington remains ready to mediate in the war between Russia and Ukraine after Moscow threatened new strikes on Kyiv, AFP reports, according to UNN.
Details
Russia's warning, including a call for foreign diplomats to flee the Ukrainian capital, marks a new escalation in the war, as Moscow has promised "systematic" attacks on Kyiv, specifically targeting "decision-making centers," the publication writes.
Rubio's offer came after Russia launched strikes against Ukraine last weekend, including the deployment of the "Oreshnik" hypersonic missile, and following a phone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
"Every time you see these large strikes from one side or the other, it's a reminder of why this is a terrible war that has lasted longer than World War II, and it needs to stop," Rubio told reporters during an official visit to India.
"The U.S. is ready to help and do everything possible to facilitate the end of this war, and hopefully, such an opportunity will arise one day," Rubio said.
Lavrov conveyed the warning to Rubio during a phone call on Monday, urging him to evacuate American diplomats, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.
When asked on Tuesday, Rubio told reporters that Russia had "sent a message to all embassies," not just the U.S. mission.
Western diplomatic missions in the city rejected the warning.
A spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry stated on Monday: "We are used to Putin's threats. Evacuation is out of the question."
The European Union Ambassador to Kyiv wrote on Facebook: "We are not going anywhere."
Ukraine called Russia's threats "rhetoric," the publication writes.
"We are now telling our partners that they must not give in to all this Russian blackmail," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
U.S.-led negotiations to end the hostilities have reached a stalemate in recent months amid the conflict in the Middle East, the publication writes.