Rubio Expected to Skip Key NATO Meeting as Ukraine Talks Intensify

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to skip the NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on December 3, according to two U.S. officials.

The move is uncommon and comes at a tense moment, as NATO allies debate the future of support for Ukraine and the direction of ongoing peace efforts. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau will attend in Rubio’s place, the sources said.

Rubio’s absence comes as Washington and Kyiv continue talks on a revised U.S. peace proposal for ending Russia’s invasion.

The 28-point draft has drawn criticism from some European governments and Ukrainian officials, who say the plan risks conceding too much to Moscow. The proposal has become a point of friction among NATO allies who want unity ahead of the Brussels meeting.

• Marco Rubio is expected to skip the NATO foreign ministers meeting as Ukraine negotiations intensify
• Rubio’s absence raises questions about U.S. alignment, priorities, and NATO unity
• The move comes amid diplomatic pressure, criticism of the U.S. peace plan, and political disruption in Kyiv

Traditionally, the U.S. secretary of state attends NATO ministerial gatherings, especially during major security crises. Diplomats say skipping the meeting may raise questions over U.S. priorities, leadership and the level of commitment to Ukraine and NATO coordination at a crucial stage. Some European officials view the move as a sign that Washington wants flexibility during negotiations and may prefer bilateral channels rather than alliance-wide discussions.

The diplomatic uncertainty comes as Kyiv faces its own disruption. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accepted the resignation of senior adviser and negotiator Andriy Yermak after a police corruption raid at his residence. The episode has added pressure on Ukraine’s negotiating team and created concerns among allies about timing and stability.

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Analysts say the Brussels meeting was expected to help align NATO positions and send a clear message on military aid, long-term commitments and negotiation principles. Rubio’s absence adds another layer of unpredictability as allies attempt to reach common ground while Russia continues operations and diplomatic messaging aimed at weakening Western unity.