US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that President Trump may abandon Ukraine peace talks with Russia within days if no progress is made. The administration will not let the negotiations “drag on for weeks or months” and will pivot to other priorities if efforts stall.
The US team, including Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, met in Paris with representatives from Ukraine, the UK, and Germany. The meeting aimed to increase European involvement in US-led peace efforts, but the talks were described as “difficult discussions” by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.
A deadline looms, with Trump giving his team 100 days to find a deal after reengaging with Putin in February. However, Ukraine has signaled openness to a ceasefire, while Russia has delayed. The Paris meeting came after Russian drones and missiles targeted multiple Ukrainian cities overnight, killing at least two people.
Rubio declined to detail the US peace framework, but called the talks “very positive” and welcomed further European participation. A follow-up meeting is planned in London next week. The EU has expressed concerns that the Trump administration’s favor towards Russia may hinder a global peace solution involving the US, EU, Russia, and Ukraine.
The situation remains tense, with Nicolas Tenzer, a professor at Sciences Po university, stating that “EU countries won’t accept any deal” that does not prioritize Ukrainian interests.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/04/18/nx-s1-5369279/u-s-ukraine-peace-efforts-russia-rubio