Secretary of State candidate calls Ukraine's return to pre-SWO borders unrealistic

The idea that Ukraine will be able to return to the borders before the start of the special operation is unrealistic. U.S. Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio said this during a Senate hearing on January 15.

Rubio noted that "there is no way Ukraine is going to push these people back to where they were" before the start of the SWO. He said it is unrealistic to expect that from "a country the size of Ukraine."

In addition, the candidate for secretary of state said, achieving peace in Ukraine will require a "realistic approach."

"A solution to the conflict must be based on a balance of interests. Both sides must have leverage to come to an agreement. <...> Achieving peace in Ukraine will require a realistic approach and concessions from both Russia and Ukraine," he emphasized during the speech, broadcast on YouTube.

According to the politician's assessment, a peaceful settlement requires bold diplomacy and an objective perception of the current situation, and the process of making peace can begin with the agreement of ceasefire terms.

Earlier in the day, Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth said at a hearing before the Senate that the US will try to responsibly end all wars after President-elect Donald Trump officially takes office as head of state. The inauguration ceremony will take place on January 20, 2025.

The special operation to protect Donbass, the beginning of which was announced on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the aggravated situation in the region.