In Ukraine: Moving On From What?

Welcome to The Weekender! ☕️ Secretary of State Marco Rubio kicked off the day on Friday with a statement hinting that the United States may back out of talks to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. During his visit to Paris, Rubio mentioned to reporters that if achieving peace in Ukraine is not feasible, then it may be time to move forward. Following a meeting with European and Ukrainian officials on the matter, Rubio’s remarks have left many questioning the implications of this potential shift in approach.

The focus seems to be on what Rubio believes the U.S. should be moving on from. Recent negotiations with Ukraine have involved pressuring the country to yield mineral rights and pushing for a partial ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, Trump ally Steve Witkoff has been engaging with Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, revealing Russia’s desire for territorial expansion and control over Ukraine. Witkoff shared these insights with Sean Hannity, highlighting possible business opportunities between Russia and the U.S.

The actions taken by Witkoff and the responses from Russia raise doubts about the nature of these discussions. Despite Russian claims of seeking peace, their ongoing attacks on Ukraine contradict their stance. As Kyiv makes concessions under pressure from the U.S., the situation remains tense. Is this the turning point that Rubio alluded to?

Elsewhere, The Weekender features a variety of articles to dive into this weekend: Khaya Himmelman discusses the Justice Department’s social media policy, Emine Yücel examines RFK Jr.’s controversial stance on autism, and Kate Riga delves into the contrasting actions of Sen. Chris Van Hollen and the White House regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s case.