The United States has remained willing to mediate in the war between Russia and Ukraine, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after Moscow launched a major attack on Kiev.
The diplomatic overture came after Rubio held a high-stakes phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov regarding the escalating crisis.
"Every time you see these big strikes from one side or the other, it's a reminder of why this is a terrible war that's now gone on longer than the Second World War, and it needs to come to an end," Rubio told reporters during an official visit to India.
"The US stands ready and prepared to help do whatever we can to help facilitate the end of this war, and hopefully the opportunity will present itself at some point," he added.
Systematic Kiev strikes
The offer of mediation follows a formal warning from Lavrov, who informed Rubio over the phone that Russian forces have begun systematic strikes on military sites and decision-making centres used by the Ukrainian army in Kiev.
According to a statement carried by Russian news agency Tass, Lavrov stated the operation was on the direct instructions of President Vladimir Putin in response to continued Ukrainian attacks against civilian infrastructure inside Russia.
During the call, Lavrov urged the US to ensure the immediate evacuation of its diplomatic staff and other American citizens from the Ukrainian capital.
