The White House Watch newsletter, offering insights into the implications of the 2024 US election for Washington and global affairs, is available for free. In recent developments, President Donald Trump is poised to halt any attempts at negotiating a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine if no progress is evident within a few days, according to a statement from the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
Rubio noted on Friday that the United States would not prolong involvement in discussions about Ukraine “for weeks or months” and would instead shift attention to other priorities if no breakthrough is achieved in the near term. He indicated that if the prospect of peace appears unattainable, President Trump is likely to conclude the negotiations.
Further contrasting comments from US officials emerged shortly afterward, with Vice President JD Vance expressing optimism about recent advancements in talks, even within the last day. Vance conveyed hope in potentially bringing the conflict, described as a “very brutal war,” to an end at a meeting in Rome with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, a strong ally of Kyiv.
These differing stances from US officials followed an extensive meeting in Paris on Thursday, facilitated by French President Emmanuel Macron. The meeting included a US delegation featuring Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, along with representatives from Ukraine, the UK, and Germany.
Rubio emphasized that continuous, unproductive global meetings were not feasible and stressed the importance of determining, “in a matter of days, not weeks,” the possibility of reaching a peace settlement. He mentioned that Trump holds a firm view that the talks should not be interminable.
Rubio did not specify the consequences for US military support to Ukraine if Trump decides to terminate the peace efforts with Moscow and Kyiv. Although Trump had pledged during his presidential campaign to end the war within “24 hours,” he subsequently set a 100-day objective for his team, which is nearing completion.
The objective of the Paris conference was to revive stalled discussions, following Trump’s renewed engagement with Russian President Vladimir Putin in February and his insistence that Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy engage in settlement negotiations. While Ukraine has expressed openness to a temporary ceasefire, Russia has reportedly been resistant.
Rubio conveyed that if both parties are earnest, the US would assist, but if not, the focus would shift to other significant US interests. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged “progress” in the talks but anticipated many challenging discussions ahead.
Ukraine announced an agreement in principle with the US concerning the sharing of its mineral and energy resources, a crucial demand from Trump aimed at compensating the US for substantial military aid. A similar deal had nearly been finalized in February but was derailed by a disagreement between Trump and Zelenskyy.
Rubio characterized the Paris talks as “very positive” and highlighted the constructive involvement of European nations. A follow-up meeting is planned for next week in London to include Russian input and aid Ukraine in determining its stance.
A French official remarked on the significance of Thursday’s gathering, noting it marked the beginning of a more positive phase in the peace talks, with increased European participation. It was the first high-level, in-person meeting involving US and European efforts. A British official indicated that the discussions were significant in aligning the US with Europe regarding Putin’s lack of commitment to peace plans.
Rubio acknowledged the potential role of the UK, France, and Germany in advancing the peace process and drawing closer to a resolution. He refrained from detailing the framework proposed by the US at this juncture but mentioned that discussions on security guarantees, although premature for definitive decisions, were underway.
Ukraine continues to advocate strongly for such guarantees, emphasizing their importance for maintaining and strengthening its defensive capabilities, supported by its European allies.