WSJ: Rubio Will Replace Whitkoff

• 19.10.2025, 19:30

The U.S. Secretary of State will handle negotiations with Russia.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead the negotiating team with Russia in place of U.S. President Steve Whitkoff's special envoy, The Wall Street Journal reported.

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration told reporters that hoping to lay the groundwork for an agreement, it is planning more meetings with Russian representatives at a lower level than was held before the Alaska talks.

"The U.S. side will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio instead of special envoy Steve Whitkoff, a move that has been welcomed by Ukrainian and European officials," the article noted.

It is also reported that Trump's team is working to bolster his talks with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin by using more "diplomatic leverage" than before the Alaska summit.

The publication writes that analysts see Rubio's new role in the talks as a signal to Russia that the U.S. is engaged in a negotiating process it understands and feels comfortable with.