Russia on Tuesday demanded NATO scrap its 2008 promise to one day give Ukraine membership of the U.S.-led NATO military alliance and dismissed the idea that NATO member forces could be keepers of the peace under some sort of ceasefire deal.

While U.S. officials characterized the talks as the first step in a peace deal, the Russians are portraying them as a way to end Moscow’s isolation.

Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, told reporters he's "convinced" that Russia is willing to engage in a serious process of ending the war. Referencing criticisms from Ukraine's European allies, who also missed an invite, he said nobody was "sidelined" from the meeting.