Speaking at CBS's Face the Nation program on March 16 (local time), US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the immediate priority is to achieve a ceasefire before conducting broader negotiations.
Mr. Rubio said that the first phase is the establishment of a ceasefire to create a premise for the second phase, in which the relevant parties will participate in direct negotiations or through shuttle diplomacy to find a long-term and sustainable solution.
He admitted that even a ceasefire would be a major challenge, given the complex nature of the conflict and the different interests between the parties.
Mr. Rubio also highlighted the role of diplomacy and tradeoffs from both sides to achieve long-term peace, while affirming that President Donald Trump is committed to ending the conflict and is actively implementing measures to achieve this goal. "We cannot enter the second phase if we have not completed the first phase," Mr. Rubio emphasized.
In a related development, US President's special envoy, Mr. Steve Witkoff, revealed that President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin may have a phone call on March 18 as part of efforts to achieve a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Witkoff had previously held a four-hour meeting with President Putin, which he described as constructive and focused on solutions. He also said that President Putin has accepted "Mr. Trump's philosophy" of ending the war with Ukraine.
After meeting with President Putin, Witkoff immediately reported to President Trump from the US Embassy in Moscow.
Previously, on March 15, President Trump summoned a meeting with senior advisers to discuss further steps to reach a ceasefire agreement.
On March 16, many other discussions were planned to narrow down the remaining differences between the parties.
Witkoff said US officials will continue to conduct separate talks with representatives of Russia and Ukraine this week, in the hope of reaching a ceasefire within the next few weeks.
On the Ukrainian side, on March 15, President Volodymyr Zelensky established a negotiation team led by the Chief of the Office of President Andriy Yermak, with the participation of the Foreign Minister and Defense Minister of Ukraine.
On the same day, President Trump appointed retired general Keith Kellogg as a special missionary to Ukraine, with the mission working directly with President Zelensky and the country's leaders.
Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on March 14 that President Putin had asked Witkoff to convey a message to President Trump ahead of the upcoming phone call, expressing "cautious optimism" about the prospects for a ceasefire.
