Rubio: It Is Becoming Increasingly Difficult For Russians To Defend Their Own Airspace

• 8.07.2026, 20:24

Ukrainian strikes against Russia will bring the war closer to an end.

The U.S. hopes that strikes against Russia’s energy sector will create the conditions for ending the conflict in Ukraine, said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during talks between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The meeting was broadcast on YouTube.

Trump was asked for his assessment of the strikes on Russia’s energy sector. The president referred the question to Rubio, who first rephrased the reporter’s question: “I think you’re talking about Ukraine’s ability to strike deep into Russian territory.”

“This is one of the dynamics that has changed in this war over the past few months. Namely, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the Russians to defend their own airspace,” the Secretary of State added.

Trump added that this is an escalation, but “it is also an escalation that could help bring [the conflict] to an end.”