U.S. President Donald Trump is prepared to withdraw from efforts to broker a Russia-Ukraine peace deal within days unless tangible progress is made, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday. Speaking in Paris following high-level meetings with European and Ukrainian leaders, Rubio emphasized the urgency of the situation.
“We’re not going to drag this out for weeks or months,” Rubio stated. “We need to determine within days whether a deal is feasible in the near term. If so, we’ll stay engaged. If not, we have other global priorities to address.”
While Trump remains interested in ending the conflict, Rubio’s comments reflect growing impatience over the lack of movement in negotiations. Trump had previously pledged during his campaign to end the war within 24 hours of taking office but later adjusted his timeline to sometime in April or May, acknowledging the complexity of the issue.
The remarks come amid broader frustrations over stalled diplomatic progress on multiple global crises. Despite diplomatic engagements, including Rubio’s meeting at France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, no breakthrough appears imminent.
Trump’s administration has faced increasing pressure to show results as geopolitical tensions rise. The possibility of halting U.S. involvement in peace negotiations could shift the dynamics of the war and influence international efforts moving forward.
With time running out, the next few days will be critical in determining whether the U.S. continues to play a leading role in brokering a peace agreement or pivots focus to other foreign policy concerns. The White House has not yet issued a formal statement on the timeline or conditions for withdrawal from the negotiations.