A possible meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin depends entirely on progress in peace talks on Ukraine, and it is not yet known when this could take place, said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“You don’t generally have these meetings until you know some outcome, or some progress has been made. So, I think when that meeting happens will largely depend on whether we can make any progress on ending the war in Ukraine,” Rubio said in an interview with journalist Catherine Herridge.

According to him, the US has officially resumed direct dialogue with Russia to find out whether it is ready for peace talks.

“The [US president] wants to know are the Russians serious about ending the war or not serious about ending the war,” and if so, under what conditions, Rubio explained.

Also, the Secretary of State assured that the US will not make a unilateral decision to end the war in Ukraine and is in contact with its European Union partners on this issue, as well as maintaining contact with Kyiv.

Russia cannot sign a ceasefire without Ukraine's consent, just as the US cannot lift sanctions on Russia without the participation of Europe, Rubio said

“So, they all have to be consulted at some point,” he added.

Also, the Secretary of State noted that during the negotiations with Russia I Saudi Arabia, the US did not discuss the lifting of sanctions on Moscow and the territorial concessions that the Kremlin demands from Ukraine.