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Security guarantees for Ukraine must also be acceptable to Russia, Rubio says
Marco Rubio said post-war security guarantees would need to make Ukraine feel safe and be acceptable to Russia, describing them as essential to a negotiated settlement. His comments underscore the challenge of balancing Kyiv’s security needs with terms that Moscow would accept.
Rubio said no final plan had been settled and did not rule out a treaty, while noting that treaty approval by the US Senate could be difficult. The remarks came before US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi on 10–11 November, with Russian, Ukrainian, European, NATO and EU representatives expected; Rubio said Washington could facilitate discussions but could not guarantee an agreement.
In short
- Rubio says guarantees must satisfy both Ukraine and Russia.
- No final plan has been agreed.
- US-mediated talks are due in Abu Dhabi on 10–11 November.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Ukraine’s lasting security depends on credible guarantees that deter renewed Russian aggression, so any settlement must leave Kyiv confident it can defend itself. Supporters of including Russia in discussions argue that guarantees Moscow considers acceptable are more likely to be implemented and could make a negotiated peace more durable.
The case against
Making guarantees acceptable to Russia could give Moscow influence over Ukraine’s future security choices or weaken the protections Kyiv needs. Critics may argue that a settlement must prioritise Ukraine’s ability to deter another attack, since assurances shaped to satisfy the party that invaded could prove ineffective or invite further pressure.
Explained simply
Ukraine is a country in eastern Europe whose conflict with Russia began in 2014 and widened when Russia launched a full-scale invasion in 2022. Any settlement would need to address Ukraine’s security after the fighting, including how to deter another attack.
Ukraine wants assurances that it would not be left exposed, while Russia would have to accept the terms for a deal to hold. The United States, led on these talks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is involved alongside Ukraine, Russia and European governments; NATO and the European Union are also relevant because of their security and political ties to the region.
A treaty is one possible form of guarantee, but agreements that require approval from the US Senate can face political obstacles. The question matters because the form and credibility of any guarantees could affect whether Ukraine and Russia consider a negotiated settlement workable.