US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday said the Trump administration remains willing to help end what he described as the "senseless war" in Ukraine but acknowledged that reaching a peace agreement would not be quick or easy. Speaking in Manila, Rubio said diplomatic efforts would require continued engagement, patience and new approaches, as previous attempts to broker a settlement between Russia and Ukraine have failed to produce a breakthrough. Rubio's comments came after he held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of an annual gathering of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Manila.

The meeting was part of broader diplomatic discussions involving several global issues, including conflicts in the Middle East, tensions in the South China Sea and ongoing efforts to address the war in Ukraine. The US Secretary of State said previous US-led efforts to facilitate talks between Russia and Ukraine had been "unsuccessful or at least unfruitful" but insisted that President Donald Trump remained committed to finding a possible solution if circumstances allowed. Rubio said Washington was prepared to continue playing a mediating role if both sides showed willingness to find common ground.

"That's been the challenge — an end that both sides can accept," Rubio told reporters. "We've tried and we'll continue to try to see if we can, you know, find a middle ground that brings this about. And we're prepared to play that role if the opportunity presents itself." The war in Ukraine has continued for more than three years, with Russian and Ukrainian forces engaged in intense fighting despite multiple diplomatic efforts. Previous negotiations have struggled over major disagreements involving territorial control, security guarantees and political conditions.

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Rubio's remarks suggested that while Washington remains open to diplomacy, officials do not expect an immediate agreement. The discussions in Manila also took place amid wider geopolitical challenges facing the United States. Rubio said Washington remains focused on strengthening its engagement in Asia while simultaneously managing conflicts and diplomatic issues in other regions. The US is currently involved in efforts related to the Middle East conflict, seeking a possible pathway to end the Ukraine war and applying pressure on the Cuban government to make political changes.

The talks between Rubio and Lavrov come at a time of heightened international tensions, with global powers closely monitoring developments involving Russia, China, Iran and other countries. The South China Sea was also a key issue during the ASEAN meetings after a new confrontation was reported in the disputed waters, adding to regional security concerns. While Rubio expressed willingness to continue diplomatic efforts, he acknowledged that any potential agreement would depend on both Russia and Ukraine finding terms they could accept.

The United States has repeatedly said it wants to support a negotiated solution but has also emphasised that long-term peace would require commitments from all parties involved. For now, there is no immediate breakthrough in negotiations, but Washington has indicated that diplomatic channels remain open. Rubio's comments underline the administration's position that ending the conflict remains a priority, while recognising the significant challenges involved in bringing the two sides toward a lasting settlement.

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