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

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.