WORLD NEWS
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that President Donald Trump will likely walk away from efforts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine within days unless clear progress is made. Speaking in Paris after meeting with European and Ukrainian leaders, Rubio emphasized the need for rapid movement, stating, “We need to determine very quickly now, and I’m talking about a matter of days, whether or not this is doable in the next few weeks.”
Rubio clarified that if no viable agreement is in sight, the U.S. will likely pull back from negotiations. “If it’s not possible, if we’re so far apart that this is not going to happen, then I think the president is probably at a point where he’s going to say, ‘Well, we’re done,’” Rubio added.
Growing Frustration in Washington
Rubio’s comments come as frustration within the White House continues to grow over the lack of significant progress in peace talks. Three European diplomatic sources indicated that Rubio’s statements reflect rising impatience regarding Russia's intransigence in resolving the conflict.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded, acknowledging some progress toward a peace settlement but noting difficulties in communicating with Washington. Peskov emphasized that Russia’s priorities in the peace talks remain rooted in ensuring its interests, while still remaining open to dialogue with the U.S.
Signs of Progress in U.S.-Ukraine Talks
Despite the growing tensions, there have been signs of progress in U.S.-Ukraine discussions. On Thursday, Trump announced plans to sign a minerals deal with Ukraine, following a previous failed attempt in February after a contentious Oval Office meeting between Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Vice President JD Vance. Rubio described the U.S. peace framework presented to European leaders as having received an “encouraging reception,” and Zelenskyy’s office called the talks “constructive and positive.”
Mounting Frustrations and Challenges
Trump’s promise during his election campaign to end the war in Ukraine within his first 24 hours in office has become increasingly difficult to fulfill. As obstacles continue to mount, Rubio's statement underscores growing frustration over geopolitical challenges facing the U.S.
In previous talks, Trump has pressured both Russia and Ukraine to come to the negotiating table, threatening sanctions on Russia and a halt to billions of dollars in U.S. military support for Kyiv. However, previous attempts at U.S.-brokered talks, including a partial ceasefire in Saudi Arabia, have failed to yield lasting results. Meanwhile, the war rages on, with recent Russian missile attacks on Sumy in northeastern Ukraine killing 35 people, an attack Trump called a “mistake.”
Potential Impacts of a U.S. Withdrawal
If the U.S. decides to withdraw from peace efforts, it would likely hinder any progress in the negotiations, as no other country has the same leverage over both Moscow and Kyiv. Rubio also suggested that European sanctions on Russia, over which the U.S. has no control, would likely need to be lifted as part of a peace deal.
Rubio also touched on U.S. security guarantees in the peace talks, which he believes can be resolved in a manner “acceptable to everyone.” However, he acknowledged that a peace deal would be challenging to finalize and emphasized the importance of determining the feasibility of reaching an agreement in the coming days.
The Road Ahead
While Trump remains committed to achieving peace, his patience appears to be running thin. The coming days could determine whether peace talks can make headway or if the U.S. will turn its focus elsewhere, leaving the fate of the Russia-Ukraine war hanging in the balance.
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