Rubio: US "always looking for opportunities" on Azerbaijan–Armenia peace

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has outlined the Trump administration’s foreign policy priorities, emphasising Washington’s willingness to act as a mediator in conflicts ranging from Ukraine to the South Caucasus.

Speaking to reporters during the year-end briefing, Rubio said the United States is actively engaged in multiple regions, citing ongoing diplomatic efforts in Europe, Asia and Africa.

“You’ve seen us engaged, whether it’s Russia, Ukraine or India and Pakistan, or Thailand and Cambodia, which is an ongoing challenge, or the tragedy we see now in Sudan, or the potential for further strife in South Sudan,” Rubio said.

He added that the US is also focused on easing tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, describing mediation as a key element of Washington’s approach.

“No matter Armenia and Azerbaijan, we are always looking for opportunities, if possible, to play the role of a mediator that brings about the avoidance of war or the ending of conflicts,” he said.

Rubio acknowledged that securing agreements is only part of the process and warned that implementation often proves difficult.

“In many of these cases, you can get people to the table and agree, and then there’s the implementation process,” he said.

“We’ve made progress in many of these, particularly in getting them to agree to certain conditions, but it’s ongoing work to make sure that those are implemented and applied.”

He noted that many of the conflicts Washington is engaged in have deep historical roots, but stressed that the administration remains committed to sustained diplomatic involvement.

“Some of these conflicts have deep roots that go back many, many years,” Rubio said. “But we are prepared to be engaged and helpful in ways that perhaps other nations can’t.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev