U.S. stands prepared to mediate Russia-Ukraine talks - Rubio

WASHINGTON. May 14 (Interfax) - Only the United States can become a mediator in efforts to settle the conflict in Ukraine, and Washington stands ready to take on this role, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

"We stand prepared to facilitate a diplomatic end to the war," Rubio said in an interview with Fox News.

Ukraine can spend two decades rebuilding its economy after the conflict, he said.

Hopefully, both sides will resume their negotiations soon, and "we [the U.S.] are prepared to play the role to mediate and bring that to a conclusion," Rubio said.

"I think we are the only country in the world that can. If somebody else wants to try, they should do it, but both sides keep telling us we are the only ones that can," he said.