U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned on Friday that President Donald Trump could abandon peace efforts between Russia and Ukraine within days. Rubio stressed the White House seeks clear signs of progress soon. “We won’t continue this for weeks,” he said in Paris after meetings with European and Ukrainian leaders.
President Trump previously aimed to sign a deal granting U.S. access to Ukraine’s minerals, but talks collapsed in February. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy clashed with Trump and Vice President JD Vance during Oval Office discussions. New negotiations in Paris drew praise from Zelenskiy’s office, which called them “constructive and positive.”
Key capitals—including Paris, London, Berlin, Kyiv, and Moscow—offered no immediate response to Rubio’s statement. Meanwhile, Trump hinted at finalizing a minerals agreement with Ukraine next week.
White House Grows Impatient
Rubio acknowledged mounting White House frustration over stalled geopolitical resolutions. Trump initially vowed to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office but later adjusted timelines. The administration now pressures both sides to negotiate, threatening sanctions on Russia or halted military aid to Kyiv.
U.S.-brokered talks in Saudi Arabia earlier secured a partial ceasefire, yet fighting persists. A recent Russian missile strike in Sumy killed 35, which Trump termed a “mistake.” Without U.S. involvement, experts warn peace efforts could collapse, as no other nation matches Washington’s influence.
Security Guarantees Dominate Talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin demands Ukraine abandon NATO ambitions, cede four regions, and limit its military—a stance Kyiv calls surrender. Rubio mentioned discussing U.S. security guarantees in Paris but emphasized unresolved “bigger challenges.”
Rubio confirmed sharing peace framework details with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. He stressed the need for “movement within days” to justify continued talks. “If progress stalls, we’ll move on,” he warned, highlighting competing global priorities demanding Trump’s attention.
The U.S. could maintain current policies—sanctions on Russia and aid to Kyiv—or halt support entirely. Decisions may reshape the conflict’s trajectory as deadlines tighten.
