If progress is not made soon, we may abandon Ukrainian peace efforts: Rubio – Country
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump will work from his efforts to pursue a Russia-Ukraine peace deal within days unless there are clear signs that a deal can be reached.
“We will continue to do this for weeks and months for weeks and months. So we are now going to determine the time for days, whether this is feasible in the next few weeks,” Rubio said in Paris after meeting with European and Ukrainian leaders.
“If it’s impossible, if we’re so far apart that that won’t happen, then I think the president might be what he’s going to say is, ‘Okay, we’re done’.”
Three European diplomatic sources told Reuters Rubio's comments coincided with some signs of progress in the United States with Ukraine, reflecting the White House's frustration that had nothing to do with Russia's stubbornness to end the war.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said some progress has been made in peaceful settlements, but contact with Washington is difficult. He said Russia is working to resolve the conflict while ensuring its own interests. He added that Moscow is still willing to talk to the United States.
Trump said on Thursday that he will sign a mineral deal with Kyiv next week after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy clashed with Vice President JD Vance and Trump and the Oval Offices of Trump (JD Vance) and Trump (JD Vance) and Trump (JD Vance) and Trump (JD Vance) and Trump (JD Vance) and Trump (JD Vance) next week.
Vance, who spoke in Rome when he met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, said he was optimistic that the United States could help end the “very cruel war”.
The talks held in Paris on Thursday were the first substantial, high-level and face-to-face negotiations on Trump’s peaceful push, including European powers. Rubio said a U.S. peace framework he proposed received “encouraging reception.” Zelenskiy's office called the talks constructive and active.
Paris, London, Berlin or Kiev did not immediately comment on Rubio’s statement, highlighting the White House’s progress on the lack of progress to address the growing list of geopolitical challenges.
Trump promised during the election campaign to end the war in Ukraine within the first 24 hours of the White House. He chaired the inaugural claim, proposing a deal in April or May, as obstacles were imposed.
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He has put pressure on both sides to come to the negotiating table, threatening to impose stricter sanctions on Russia, or ending billions of dollars in U.S. military support.
Both Ukraine and Russia participated in talks with U.S. agents in Saudi Arabia, which led to a partial ceasefire, but that's all. Meanwhile, the war continued, including the recent Russian missile attack on Sumi in northeastern Ukraine, killing 35 people – a Trump attack called “error.”
If Washington goes away, efforts to build peace may be founded, as no other country can put similar pressure on Moscow and Kiev.
Other effects are not clear. The United States can keep its current conflict policy unchanged, maintain sanctions on Russia, and allow our aid to flow to Kiev. In addition, Trump can decide to stop paying to Ukraine.
Rubio said he spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after talking in Paris and introduced him to the elements of the American peace framework.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he hopes Ukraine abandons NATO ambitions and cedes to Russia permanently, with the four regions losing and limiting the size of the army. Kyiv said the demands were related to demanding their surrender.
Give up European sanctions?
Rubio said Europeans have a central role in any peace agreement, especially because their sanctions on Russia may require the lifting of secure agreements.
He said the issue of U.S. security assurance was raised in the Paris talks, saying it was a problem: “We can solve it in a way that everyone can accept.” However, he warned: “We have a bigger challenge and need to be figured out.”
It is clear that peace agreements are difficult to strike, but there needs to be signs that they will be done soon, he said.
“We need to figure out here in a few days now if this can be done in the short term, because if not, then I think we will keep moving forward.”
