Rubio Confirms US Communicated Russian Ceasefire Conditions to Zelensky; Diplomatic Gap Remains Wide

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Washington has communicated Moscow's ceasefire conditions to President Zelensky, but that 'the final decision rests with him.' Russia continues to reject committing to a ceasefire as a precondition for holding Ukrainian elections — a Ukrainian red line — while also demanding full recognition of four annexed oblasts. France, Germany, and UK leaders have expressed concern that US mediation increasingly reflects Russian rather than Ukrainian interests. The Coalition of the Willing (35-nation grouping led by France and UK) maintained that any European troop deployment to Ukraine would only occur post-ceasefire. Zelensky's bilateral defense cooperation agreements with Gulf states, including the UAE, continue to expand Ukraine's diplomatic options as potential mediators outside the US-Russia bilateral channel.