US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been a global leader for a long time. Therefore, America has no other way but to talk to him to resolve the ongoing struggle in Ukraine.

He said in an interview to ABC News on Sunday (August 17, 2025), “Putin is already an important leader on the stage of the world.” He said that he has the world’s largest strategic nuclear weapons reserves and is also the second largest strategic nuclear weapons in the world. He is already among the big leaders of the world.

According to Russian news agency Tas, he said, ‘When I hear people saying that’ Oh, this will increase the stature of Putin, then I am surprised. We talk about Putin all the time. For the last four -five years, the media has also been continuously discussing Putin.

He further said, ‘This means that the peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine cannot be done without talking to Putin. This war cannot end until the conversation with Putin is done. It is a matter of common understanding, I do not need to explain it, so people can say whatever they want.

On August 15, a military base in Alaska met between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump. This meeting lasted for about three hours. President’s aide Yuri Ushakov and External Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov were present on behalf of the Russian side. At the same time, Foreign Minister Marco Rubio and Trump’s special messenger Steve Witchoff participated on behalf of the US side.

In a statement given to the media after the conversation, Putin said that the solution to the war going on in Ukraine was the most important issue of this summit. The Russian President spoke of improving the relationship between America and Russia and start cooperation again. At the same time, he also invited Trump to come to Moscow.

The US President said that there has been some progress in the conversation. However, both countries have not reached any concrete agreement. Marco Rubio said on Sunday that both Putin and Zelanski will have to make some compromises to enhance the peace agreement. Marco Rubio told ABC News, ‘Peace agreement is not possible until both sides give anything to each other. Until there will be concessions from both sides, peace cannot happen.

Donald Trump is scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time after assuming the post of US President for the second time. This meeting is going to take place at a time when Trump has imposed a penalty on the countries buying Russian oil, including India. Prior to this meeting, the Russian Defense Ministry has made a big charge on Ukraine.

According to the IANS report, the Russian Ministry of Defense has claimed that Kiev is planning to disrupt the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15. In a post on Telegram, the Russian Ministry of Defense said, “Information received through many means has revealed that the Ukraine government is preparing to thwart the Russian-American talks to be held on 15 August 2025.”

The Ministry claims that for this purpose, Ukraine’s Security Service has sent a group of foreign journalists to Chuguev in Kharkeev. This area is under Ukraine. Journalists have been sent there on the pretext of making reports on the residents of the border area there. The Ministry of Defense said that the Ukrainian army would attack the city and blame Russia responsible for it.

The Russian Defense Ministry said that just before the summit to be held on August 15, Ukraine’s armed forces are planning an attack on a densely populated residential area or hospital with the help of UAV and missiles. Foreign Western journalists will give news immediately. He said that in this way negative reporting will be done to interrupt Russia and American cooperation to stop the ongoing struggle in Russia and Ukraine.

The statement of the Ministry of Defense also claimed that there can be provocative activities in other settlements controlled by Ukraine. Regarding Trump and Putin’s meeting in Alaska on August 15, it seems that through this, it can be solved to solve the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine for a long time.

Announcing the meeting on ‘Truth’ social, Trump wrote, ‘The much awaited meeting between me and Putin will be held next Friday, August 15, 2025 in the Great State of Alaska. Further information will be given later. Russian President’s aide Yuri Ushakov said on Saturday that after the Alaska Summit, Moscow hopes that the next meeting between Putin and Trump will be held in Russia.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have given a strict warning to the conference of Russian President Vladimir Putin to establish peace in Russia-Ukraine. Jailonsky has said that any peace agreement between the US and Russia will be completely illegal and ineffective, which does not include Ukraine.

According to an associated press report, Ukraine President Volodimir Jailonsky released a statement on the social media platform Telegram on Saturday (August 9, 2025). Jailonsky said, “A solution that does not include Ukraine and what is against peace will be called a dead solution that will never work.”

He emphasized this, saying, “The constitutional integrity of Ukraine should be respected and Ukraine citizens will not give their land to those who occupy.”

Ukraine ready to decide for peace- Jailonski

President Jailonsky said, “Ukraine is ready for such real decisions that can bring peace. But any decision that is against us, in our absence and what is against peace, nothing will be gained from decisions. They will only be dead decisions, absolutely impractical and we all need a real peace.

Putin does not trust our people- Jailonsky

Jailonsky further said, “President Putin did not believe our people and that is why he took a disappointing decision to capture Ukraine. It was his biggest mistake to ignore Ukraine citizens.”

He said, “Of course, we will not give any award to Russia for its crimes. The people of Ukraine are entitled to complete and real peace. But all other partners also have to understand what a dignified and dignified peace is.”

Also read: India supports US-Russia meeting, expected to end Ukraine War

Russia-ukraine war: US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his special envoy Steve Witchoff achieved “significant progress” in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Trump, after the meeting, he also informed European colleagues.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “My special messenger Steve Witchoff had a very useful meeting with Putin. Everyone agrees that this war should end now, and we will work in this direction in the coming days and weeks.”

Jailonsky said this
Ukraine President Volodimir Jailonsky said he interacted with Trump over phone, in which he agreed that “the end of war is necessary.” He also stated that European leaders were also involved in this call, and thanked him for his support for Ukraine. Jailonsky said, “We discussed the conversation held in Moscow. Ukraine will protect its freedom. We need a permanent and reliable peace. Russia should end the war he started himself.”

Jailonsky had made serious allegations

President Volodimir Jailonsky has said that the mercenary soldiers of China and Pakistan are fighting with the Russian army. Jailonski’s statement came after meeting Ukrainian soldiers fighting in Vovchansk direction. He said that the soldiers of the region have mentioned the participation of the merits of China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and African countries in the war and vow to respond.

On the social media platform X, Gelnsky wrote, “Today, I was with those who protected our country in the Vovchank area.” We talked to the commanders about the status of the advance front, protecting Vovachank and dynamics of war. Our military war in this region is reporting the participation of mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and African countries in the war. We will answer this. The Ukrainian President thanked the soldiers who fought for the country and presented them state awards.

(With IANS input)