On the 3rd, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio told a Senate Appropriations
subcommittee that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have stalled in recent
months and carry a real risk of escalation. He said the conflict cannot be
resolved by military means and must be settled diplomatically, but that route
has not produced results to date. Both sides appear unwilling to make the
concessions required for a deal, he said. Russia retains long-range strike
capabilities and Ukraine can retaliate in kind, making the risk of escalation
real and more tangible than two years ago.
