The United States could soon walk away from efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine if there is no visible progress in the coming days, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on April 18, 2025. The warning comes after months of stalled negotiations and reflects growing frustration in Washington over the lack of a breakthrough in ending Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II.
Deadline for Progress
Speaking to reporters in Paris, Rubio stressed that the Trump administration is unwilling to prolong peace efforts indefinitely. “We need to determine very quickly—within days—whether this is doable,” he said. A follow-up meeting in London next week could be decisive in determining whether the U.S. continues its involvement.
Rubio emphasized that while the U.S. wants the war to end, “it’s not our war” and Washington has “other priorities to focus on”. His comments signal a shift in U.S. strategy, prioritizing domestic and global challenges over a conflict that has dragged on for over three years.
What’s Happening Behind the Scenes?
Recent talks in Paris marked the first high-level, in-person discussions involving U.S., Ukrainian, and European leaders since President Donald Trump took office. While Rubio described the reception to a proposed U.S. peace framework as “encouraging,” key disagreements remain unresolved:
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Russia’s Demands: Moscow insists Ukraine drop its NATO membership ambitions, accept Russian control of four occupied regions, and limit its military size.
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Ukraine’s Stance: Kyiv views these terms as a surrender and refuses to cede territory.
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The Minerals Deal: Separately, Trump is pushing for an agreement to access Ukraine’s mineral resources, which he claims could offset billions in U.S. military aid.
Why Is the U.S. Losing Patience?
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Resource Drain: The U.S. has provided over $100 billion in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine since 2022. Trump has repeatedly questioned this spending, calling for European nations to take more responsibility.
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Global Priorities: Rubio hinted that conflicts in the Middle East, competition with China, and domestic issues are diverting U.S. attention.
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Diplomatic Fatigue: Despite Trump’s earlier claims that he could “end the war in a day,” progress has been minimal. Last month, Trump admitted his statement was “a little bit sarcastic”.
How Are Other Countries Reacting?
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Europe: French and German leaders have cautiously supported the U.S. peace push but stress that sanctions on Russia—which require EU approval—cannot be lifted without guarantees.
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Russia: The Kremlin says it is “open to dialogue” but insists any deal must protect its interests. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged “some developments” but warned of “challenging discussions ahead”.
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Ukraine: Officials in Kyiv have not directly responded to Rubio’s ultimatum. Analysts warn that a U.S. withdrawal could weaken Ukraine’s negotiating power and deepen reliance on Europe.
What Happens Next?
If the London talks fail, the U.S. is likely to step back, leaving Europe to lead future negotiations. This could strain transatlantic relations and force Ukraine to make tougher concessions. For now, all eyes are on whether Russia and Ukraine can bridge their differences before the deadline—a task experts call “nearly impossible under current conditions”.
While the U.S. push for peace is driven by a desire to end human suffering and focus on other crises, critics argue that abandoning negotiations risks prolonging the war. If Washington exits, Europe may struggle to fill the void, given its reliance on U.S. military and diplomatic clout. At the same time, Russia might interpret the withdrawal as a green light to escalate attacks.
For ordinary Ukrainians, the ultimatum adds uncertainty to an already dire situation. Millions remain displaced, and frontline cities face daily shelling. Meanwhile, the proposed minerals deal has sparked debate: while it could bring economic relief to Ukraine, some fear it could exploit the country’s resources during wartime.
The Bottom Line
The next few days will determine whether the U.S. stays engaged in brokering peace or becomes a bystander in a conflict with global repercussions. As Rubio put it, “We need to know: Is there a path forward, or are we just wasting time?”
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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