Rubio on the key dispute with Russia: 20% of Donetsk is in question.

According to ТСН: There is an active exchange of opinions between Ukraine and the Russian Federation regarding the territory of Donbass, which is currently under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Marco Rubio's Statements

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized in an interview with Fox News that 'right now they are literally arguing over a territory the size of 30-50 kilometers and 20% of the Donetsk region that remains under Ukraine's control.'

He also noted that there has been some progress in discussing 'issues that Ukrainians might agree on, and what security guarantees would be considered acceptable for the future.'

Washington's Negotiations with Both Sides

Rubio added that the White House intends to help bridge the differences between Kyiv and Moscow by negotiating with both sides. However, the final decision regarding the end of hostilities will be made solely by Ukraine and Russia.

"If they decide that they do not want to end the war, then it will continue, but we will continue our attempts to end it," said the U.S. Secretary of State.

Non-negotiable Demands from the Kremlin

According to NBC, there are at least three points of the peace plan that the Kremlin is not willing to compromise on. One of the 'untouchable' demands is the complete and 'voluntary' withdrawal of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Key Issues in Negotiations

CNN notes that two key contentious issues loom over the negotiations between U.S. and Russian representatives, one of which is Russia's demand for the voluntary surrender of territories in Donbas.

The situation in Donbas remains tense, and any progress in negotiations could significantly affect the further development of the conflict. The importance of seeking a peaceful resolution is undeniable, as ending hostilities could open new prospects for the region's recovery and stabilization in Ukraine.