US Secretary of State optimistic about Russia’s intentions for peace in Ukraine

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed hope that Russia's intentions to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine through peaceful means would soon become clear. 

Speaking at a press conference following a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels, Rubio said that the next few weeks would be crucial in determining Russia's stance, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Rubio stated that, based on Russia's responses, the world would soon be able to determine, within weeks rather than months, whether Russia was serious about pursuing peace. He expressed his sincere hope that Russia was indeed committed to peace and stressed the need to thoroughly examine their proposals. In addition to his remarks on the conflict, Rubio announced Washington's intention to raise its defense spending to 5 percent of the nation's GDP.

This move underscores the US commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities amid increasing global security concerns. The announcement is part of a broader strategy to reinforce NATO's collective security and ensure its readiness to address evolving geopolitical challenges. 

Earlier in the day, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov criticised the US for its astronomical spending on military forces. He also voiced concerns over Washington's efforts to secure greater contributions from NATO allies to fund collective defense initiatives, highlighting the ongoing tensions between Russia and the West over defense spending and military commitments.

By Naila Huseynova