The US will abandon efforts to broker a Russia-Ukraine peace deal within days unless clear progress emerges, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“We’re not going to continue with this endeavour for weeks and months on end,” Rubio stated, adding that the US had “other priorities to focus on.”
Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has placed various conditions on potential ceasefire terms. Despite the Trump administration’s initial confidence in securing a quick agreement, ceasefire attempts have stalled, with Washington attributing blame to both sides.
Following discussions with European leaders in Paris on Thursday, Rubio told reporters: “We need to determine very quickly now – and I’m talking about a matter of days – whether or not this is doable.” He emphasized, “If it’s not going to happen, then we’re just going to move on.”
President Donald Trump had previously claimed he would end the fighting within 24 hours of taking office. When asked about Trump’s expectation of a Russian response on a ceasefire, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged “the negotiations taking place are quite difficult” but insisted Russia “is striving to reach a peace settlement” while being “open to dialogue.”
Meanwhile, Russian strikes on Ukraine continue. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported Friday that Russian missile attacks had killed two people.
During a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, US Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about ending the “very brutal war,” noting developments “in the past 24 hours” without providing specifics.
Separately, Ukraine and the US have taken initial steps toward a minerals deal after previous negotiations were derailed when a February meeting between Trump and Zelensky reportedly devolved into argument. On Thursday, the countries signed a memorandum of intent to establish an investment fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction as part of a broader economic partnership, targeted for finalization by April 26.
The full details remain unclear, though previous leaks suggest the agreement extends beyond minerals to Ukrainian energy infrastructure control. Ukrainian negotiators have reportedly resisted Trump’s demands that a joint investment fund repay previous US military aid but appear to have accepted the premise that it would support post-war recovery.
Zelensky had hoped to secure US security guarantees through this agreement, previously stating that “a ceasefire without security guarantees is dangerous for Ukraine.” The US has thus far avoided providing such guarantees, arguing that American business presence would itself deter Russian aggression.
Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced the memorandum signing on social media, stating: “There is a lot to do, but the current pace and significant progress give reason to expect that the document will be very beneficial for both countries.”
Ukrainian MP Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze told the BBC that Ukraine’s Parliament will have “the last word” on the deal, expressing hope that “whatever is signed… is in the interest of our country and our people.”
The developments come as a 30-day Russian moratorium on striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure expires, though Peskov indicated Putin has not issued new orders regarding this temporary ceasefire.
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