The United States may abandon its efforts to end the war in Ukraine if meaningful progress is not achieved in the coming days, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. His comments came after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
Rubio indicated that the Trump administration would decide within days whether it is feasible to reach a cease-fire agreement between Russia and Ukraine. The exact implications of his remarks regarding the U.S. commitment to Ukraine remain unclear.
His statements appear aimed at increasing pressure on both Russia and Ukraine to reach a resolution, particularly encouraging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to consider compromise. While the U.S. plays a significant role in negotiations, European nations hold more influence over Zelensky.
Rubio emphasized that Trump has been actively engaged in high-level discussions to end the conflict, noting a need to determine the possibility of a resolution. The Kremlin, however, has indicated it is not in a rush to agree to a cease-fire.
Recent high-level talks among American, European, and Ukrainian officials aimed to align perspectives on the war. Rubio described these discussions as constructive, but suggested that Trump is growing impatient.
A proposed peace framework was presented to Ukraine during the talks, although specific details were not disclosed. Rubio reiterated that the conflict is not the U.S.'s war, but emphasized the importance of bringing it to an end.
Rubio and Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, have been leading U.S. diplomatic efforts, while Putin has set conditions for any cease-fire. The ongoing Russian bombardment of Ukraine continues to complicate the situation.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov acknowledged the complexity of resolving the conflict, stating that Russia seeks a settlement that protects its interests. He mentioned previous agreements, such as a temporary halt on strikes against energy infrastructure, as examples of progress.
No immediate response from Kyiv followed Rubio's comments, which raised concerns about the U.S. commitment to peace talks. Analysts in Ukraine suggested that a U.S. withdrawal from negotiations would signal a lack of influence over the war.
Despite these tensions, Ukraine and the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening economic ties, indicating a potential commitment to continued collaboration.
Participants in the Paris discussions plan to reconvene next week in London, with Rubio expressing a desire for meaningful engagement rather than mere dialogue. He highlighted the potential for European nations to facilitate progress toward a resolution, despite Ukraine's firm rejection of Russian territorial demands.