- By Supratik Das
- Fri, 18 Apr 2025 01:49 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The United States is likely to stop its diplomatic efforts to bring a Russia-Ukraine peace agreement unless there are strong indications of movement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed on Friday. Addressing a press conference in Paris following top-level meetings with European and Ukrainian counterparts, Rubio made it amply clear that the clock is ticking for the US-driven initiative to conclude the long-pending conflict.
“Unless we see concrete movement toward an agreement in the coming days, the United States will step back from its mediation efforts,” Rubio told reporters. He insisted that while President Donald Trump remains devoted to peaceful resolution, the administration has global priorities and isn't interested in investing forever in a frozen process.
US Irritated With Stalled Talks
The remarks came after a series of meetings in the French capital involving top U.S. and European officials, including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and senior Ukrainian ministers. The objective was to restore momentum for a truce, but Russia's ongoing refusal to sign a full truce has placed the talks on shaky ground. “The encouraging reception in Paris to the U.S. framework shows that peace is possible if all parties commit to reaching an agreement,” Rubio said. But he conceded that Moscow's hesitancy to fully participate has been a serious obstacle.
Russia Reaffirms Dialogue But Shows No Shift In Stance
Rubio subsequently had a call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to update him on the Paris talks. In accordance with the US State Department, Rubio urged Russia to seriously consider the peace framework presented and to commit to a viable path forward.
Lavrov, in another Moscow statement, reiterated that Russia is willing to speak but reaffirmed the Kremlin's stance that the underlying causes of the war have to be solved — a reference to continuing disagreements over Ukraine's occupied land.
Despite the doubt, a new round of diplomatic negotiations with the US, France, Germany, the UK, and Ukraine will be held next week in London. A "positive process" is underway, French authorities say, but most admit that the way forward will still be tough. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the recent talks and stressed the need for "real security" in Europe. But tensions between Kyiv and some US officials persist, especially following comments by US envoy Steve Witkoff, whom Zelensky accused of echoing Russian narratives.
Patience Running Thin In Washington
Rubio's comments are a turning point for the US in its participation in the Russia-Ukraine peace process. With diplomatic processes on the brink of collapse, Washington seems to be prepared to pull back unless swift progress is achieved.
President Donald Trump, at the White House during a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, announced that the US awaits a Moscow response to its ceasefire proposal. “We’re going to be hearing from them this week — very shortly, actually,” Trump said, without elaborating further. Pressed on previous comments where he appeared to blame Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the war, Trump clarified: “I don’t hold Zelenskyy responsible, but I’m not exactly thrilled with the fact that the war started.”
His remarks reflect a mix of frustration and urgency as the U.S. waits for movement from Russia. With European allies now more involved and pressure mounting from all sides, the next round of talks in London could prove critical.