**Cease-Fire Possibility: Rubio Eyes Peace in Days Amidst Ukraine Tensions**

Marco Rubio expresses optimism over ending hostilities between Russia and Ukraine.

In an optimistic statement from Ireland, Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the potential for a cease-fire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, suggesting that peace could be achieved in a matter of days if Russia cooperates. Rubio is set to engage with top diplomats from the Group of 7 nations in Canada to discuss strategies for an end to the ongoing war.

“We hope to reach a point where neither side is firing — no rockets, no bullets, just dialogue,” Rubio stated during a refueling stop while traveling from Saudi Arabia to Canada. He downplayed any anxiety over potential backlash from allies regarding President Trump's recent tariffs, asserting that the focus of the G7 discussions would be strictly on shared interests, notably avoiding any topics about Trump's threats to annex Canada.

On Tuesday, Rubio, along with Michael Waltz, the national security adviser, held extensive conversations with Ukrainian officials in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, aimed at catalyzing negotiations with Russia. The hostilities that erupted back in 2014 with Russia's seizure of Crimea escalated into a full-scale invasion in 2022. Following the recent talks, Ukrainian representatives conveyed their acceptance of a U.S. proposal for a temporary 30-day cease-fire.

This diplomatic movement comes after tensions were amplified when Trump had previously withheld U.S. military support from Ukraine to pressure President Volodymyr Zelensky into negotiations. According to U.S. sources, military assistance has resumed since the discussions in Jeddah, signaling a possible shift in approach toward the conflict.