The war between Russia and Ukraine has reached a stalemate that could push either side to escalate the conflict in an attempt to break the deadlock, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Thursday, describing the situation as “very dangerous.”
Speaking during a stopover in Portugal at the end of a European tour, Rubio said any escalation between Moscow and Kyiv could quickly transform the conflict into a broader regional confrontation.
Rubio: Stalemate Makes the War More Dangerous
Rubio described the Russia-Ukraine conflict as “extremely dangerous,” saying that the war currently appears to be at a stalemate.
He warned that such a situation could encourage either side to take more aggressive action, potentially widening the conflict beyond the borders of Ukraine.
“Stalemates are very dangerous,” Rubio said, stressing that an escalation could have consequences far beyond the two countries involved.
Deadly Attack in Kramatorsk
Rubio’s comments came as Ukraine accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians after 30 people were killed when two buses were blown up in the frontline city of Kramatorsk.
The attack was described as one of the deadliest single incidents in several weeks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed that the attack would not go unanswered.
Washington Still Pushes for a Negotiated Settlement
Rubio said efforts to reach a negotiated settlement between Russia and Ukraine have continued, despite the lack of a breakthrough.
He indicated that Washington would continue working toward a diplomatic solution, saying that the United States would “keep trying” to help bring the conflict to an end.
The warning comes as concerns grow that the prolonged battlefield stalemate could increase the risk of a wider escalation involving Russia, Ukraine and potentially other countries in the region.
