Rubio says 'long ways to go' in peace talks with Russia over ending Ukraine war

Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that there is a "long ways to go" before an agreement can be reached with Russia over ending the war in Ukraine.

Rubio confirmed that Trump had a conversation with Vladimir Putin this week.

"I can tell you that Donald Trump is the only leader in the world that could potentially begin that process. Other leaders have tried. They have not been able to do so. When he ran in his campaign and he was elected as president, one of his promises was, he would work to bring an end to this conflict in a way that's sustainable and fair," Rubio said on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Sunday.

"And, obviously, you know, this is the first step in that process, but we have a long ways to go. Again, one call doesn't make it. One meeting wouldn't make it. This – there's a lot of work to be done. But I – I thought it has – you know, even the longest journey begins with the first step," he added.

Rubio said Putin expressed to Trump "his interest in peace, and the president expressed his desire to see an end to this conflict in a way that was enduring and that protected Ukrainian sovereignty, and that was an enduring peace, not that we're going to have another invasion in three or four years."

Rubio addressed reports of possible upcoming meetings between U.S. and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia about the Ukraine war.

"Nothing has been finalized," he said.