Secretary: U.S. uniquely positioned to convene Ukraine‑Russia talks but deal requires both sides to give

During the press session the Secretary described the U.S. role in Russia‑Ukraine negotiations as largely convener and facilitator rather than an imposing power. He said the United States is "the only entity on earth that can actually talk to both sides" and that reaching a negotiated settlement requires both Russia and Ukraine to receive and cede elements of what they want.

"Wars end generally in one of two ways — surrender or a negotiated settlement," he said, adding that "a negotiated settlement requires both sides to get something out of it and both sides to give something." He emphasized that Washington cannot force either side to accept terms and that technical teams must work out details outside media scrutiny.

The Secretary also defended interagency coordination and the role of special envoys, saying envoys operate within an interagency framework and that State Department professionals help craft technical language for agreements. He warned that the hardest negotiation points usually appear last and that public statements by leaders do not always reflect what negotiators might privately accept.

On the question of whether the U.S. would recognize occupied territory as part of a deal, the Secretary declined to negotiate specifics in public and reiterated that any agreement depends on both combatants' consent.