U.S. Could Exit Ukraine Peace Talks Soon, Says Rubio

Iruni Kalupahana, JadeTimes Staff

I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Russia-Ukraine war

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Image Source: Julien De Rosa

Paris, April 18, 2025 U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a dark warning Friday that the United States will terminate its efforts to broker peace in Ukraine within days if it does not see tangible advances.

Speaking in Paris after a series of high level talks with European and Ukrainian officials, Rubio said, “We need to determine very quickly now, I’m talking about a matter of days, whether or not this is doable.” He emphasized that if peace negotiations appear fruitless, “we need to move on.”

Rubio's statement reflects growing frustration within the Trump administration at the lack of progress toward a end to the war, now three years long. A subsequent U.S. official clarified that "moving on" is taking a step back from the bargaining table, rather than completely out.

"President Trump doesn't have infinite patience for people to posture and play games," the official said. "It's time to get serious."

War Rages As Diplomatic Drive Gains Steam

As diplomacy was taken to a new height in Paris, Russia struck a residential civilian area in Kharkiv, Ukraine, with a missile. One individual was reported dead and at least 67 injured, according to local authorities, with others likely left trapped in the wreckage.

Despite these sinister developments, the U.S. and Ukraine moved closer to the signing of a major minerals deal on Thursday. Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko confirmed that a memorandum of intent was signed, a precursor to an Economic Partnership Agreement and an investment fund for reconstruction.

This document is the result of the professional work of our negotiating teams," Svyrydenko said, pointing out that the two sides are now in the process of finalizing and ratifying the deal.

An earlier version of the deal had been stalled following public rows between Presidents Zelensky and Trump in February.

A Framework on the Table

A broad peace framework has been offered to both Moscow and Kyiv, according to Rubio and the State Department. President Zelensky's team is now considering the strategy and also brought it up during a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

If the negotiations fail to produce results in the near term, the U.S. will also consider a dramatic policy change. This could include additional pressure on Russia in the form of secondary sanctions and tariffs. Trump has also emphasized, however, that Europe must take more responsibility because the U.S. cannot subsidize Ukraine indefinitely.

Cautious Optimism by Vice President

Despite these threats, Vice President JD Vance expressed cautious optimism, saying that the administration still believes a peaceful resolution is possible.

Addressing Rome after a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Vance said, "We do feel hopeful that we can hopefully bring this very brutal war to an end."

Meanwhile, the U.S. is still meeting with both Ukrainian and Russian officials as well as key European allies. Rubio joined foreign ministers from France, the UK, and Germany at a strategic gathering at France's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"If it can't be done, if we're too far apart, then I think the president is likely to say, 'We're done,'" Rubio said. "It's not our war. We didn't start it."