The key facts

  • Rubio: no one will win the war in Ukraine, about 25,000 people die monthly (citing Trump)
  • Rubio refuted Zelensky's words about a pause in US intelligence sharing
  • The glitch in Ukraine's early warning system was explained as a software problem; sanctions against Russia suspended for 60 days

Statements on the war in Ukraine

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio answered journalists' questions about the war in Ukraine in Samarkand on October 19. According to him, no one will win this conflict: people die every day, there are explosions and destruction. He added that President Donald Trump has made it clear that he wants an end to the war between Ukraine and Russia, and the US will continue to do everything possible to resolve the conflict. Citing Trump, Rubio said the war claims about 25,000 lives every month.

Response to Zelensky's statement on intelligence

Rubio commented on the words of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who earlier in an interview with NBC News spoke about a temporary suspension and subsequent resumption of the transfer of American intelligence. The Secretary of State said he does not know where Zelensky gets such information and why he talks about it to the press, and emphasized that 'there was no pause in intelligence sharing.' According to him, Zelensky should now focus on ending the war, as should the US and Russia.

Missile strike on Kyiv and the warning system glitch

Responding to reports that the US did not warn Ukraine about the missile strike on Kyiv, Rubio said that a few days ago a software problem occurred in Ukraine's early warning system. US European Command is investigating the circumstances.

On Putin's readiness for talks and sanctions

When asked by a journalist what evidence indicates Russian President Vladimir Putin's readiness for peace talks, Rubio replied: 'What evidence? This is not a criminal case. This is diplomacy. And in diplomacy, efforts must continue.' Commenting on Trump's refusal to immediately impose 'hellish sanctions' against Russia, the Secretary of State explained that the sanctions are suspended for 60 days because the president wants to understand whether the ongoing negotiations have prospects.

Context of the Samarkand visit

Rubio arrived in Samarkand on October 18 accompanied by more than 200 business representatives to participate in the C5+1 summit. At the airport he was met by Head of the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan Saida Mirziyoyeva and Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. Meetings with representatives of the five Central Asian states are planned in Samarkand, after which the Secretary of State will head to Mumbai and Jamnagar in India. Rubio explained the purpose of the visit by saying that there are countries with which the US wants to develop relations, not only because of crises or conferences, mentioning recent trips to Greece and Latin America.