Rubio Denies U.S. Demand for Donbas in Peace Deal

0:00It's March 28th. This is Global News Today World Coverage, powered by AI. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio firmly denied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's, claimed that America's demanding Ukraine give up its. Eastern Dombos region for security guarantees in any peace deal with Russia. Rubio made the statement after a group of seven meeting in France, insisting the U.S. has never made such a demand during talks with Kiev. Zelensky shared his view in a recent interview, saying the U.S. offer for guarantees depends on Ukraine pulling back from Donbass, an industrial area, mostly held by Russian forces. He linked this to America's focus on its own conflict with Iran, suggesting President Trump wants a quick end to the Ukraine war. Rubio pushed back hard, explaining that the U.S. only relayed Russia's position to Ukraine without endorsing it. He stressed that security promises would follow a ceasefire, and America's role is to help find common ground between the two sides, leaving the final, call to Ukraine.

1:00Dombos remains a key flashpoint, with Russia seeking full control to strengthen its position against the rest of Ukraine. Last week's talks happened in Florida, but no further meetings are said right now. Ukraine's office stayed silent on the back and forth. Meanwhile, concerns grow over U.S. weapons, like Patreon missiles, shifting toward the Middle East, though none have been pulled from Ukraine deliveries. Yet, Rubio said priorities could change if needed for American interests first, leaving the peace push in a holding pattern as tensions simmer on multiple.