Marco Rubio warns US will quit Ukraine-Russia peace talks without concrete proposals
As Trump marks 100 days, US signals shift on Ukraine mediation if Russia and Ukraine fail to present a roadmap.
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| An armored Ukrainian military vehicle drives along a road in a village near the frontline in the Dnipropetrovsk region on April 19, 2025. Photo by Roman Pilipey/AFP |
By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini
The United States has issued a stark ultimatum as its role in Ukraine-Russia peace talks hangs in the balance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Tuesday that the U.S. may abandon its mediation role if both Russia and Ukraine fail to deliver concrete proposals aimed at ending the war. As President Donald Trump marks 100 days in office, what once was a cornerstone promise — to end the war in his first 24 hours back in the White House — has morphed into cautious diplomacy and visible frustration.
The Biden-era emphasis on steadfast military support has been replaced by Trump’s more transactional approach. But even Trump’s patience appears to be running thin. Rubio’s warning is the clearest signal yet that the administration is prepared to pivot away from brokering peace unless visible progress is made — fast.
US reevaluates Ukraine policy amid stalled negotiations
Speaking through State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, Rubio made it clear that time is running out for Moscow and Kyiv to present tangible ideas.
"We are now at a time where concrete proposals need to be delivered by the two parties on how to end this conflict," Bruce told reporters. “If there is not progress, we will step back as mediators in this process.”
Bruce emphasized that the final decision rests with President Trump, but the message was unmistakable: the US will not wait indefinitely.
Trump himself appeared to offer a softer tone in an interview aired the same day. Asked whether he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin still sought peace, Trump responded, “I think he does.” However, his previous optimism about achieving a quick resolution has not borne out. Despite telephone outreach to Putin and the dispatch of close associate Steve Witkoff to Moscow, negotiations remain stagnant.
Putin floats ceasefire while rejecting broader peace
Putin recently proposed a three-day ceasefire to coincide with Russia’s upcoming commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. But Washington swiftly rejected the gesture as insufficient.
“The United States wants not a three-day moment so you can celebrate something else — a complete, durable ceasefire and an end to the conflict,” Bruce said during the press briefing.
From the US perspective, the Kremlin’s proposal appears more symbolic than substantive. Meanwhile, the administration’s own framework for peace has faced criticism, particularly from Ukrainian officials who see it as overly accommodating to Russian interests.
Ukraine uneasy about US proposals, wary of land concessions
Among the most contentious elements is the notion of recognizing Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and negotiating land swaps. These ideas, reportedly floated by Trump confidants, have sparked outrage in Kyiv.
“We all want this war to end in a fair way — with no rewards for Putin, especially no land,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday via videoconference during an event in Poland.
Ukraine’s unease is compounded by fears that Moscow views the evolving US stance as an opportunity to solidify its gains. Analysts warn that Russia may now believe it holds the upper hand — both on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.
Mixed signals from Moscow
Russia’s response to Washington’s shifting tone has been to blame Kyiv. Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, accused Zelensky of rejecting “balanced peace proposals” backed by the US.
“Zelensky is bent on escalating the conflict. He’s recklessly rejecting the United States’ balanced peace proposals,” Nebenzia told a UN Security Council session on Tuesday.
The Kremlin has not publicly committed to the US framework, but officials continue to engage with American diplomats, suggesting Russia still sees some value in ongoing discussions.
Trump, Zelensky, and tensions over aid
Relations between Trump and Zelensky have grown tense in recent months. In a February meeting at the White House, Trump reportedly berated the Ukrainian leader and accused him of showing ingratitude for the military support provided during the Biden administration.
Trump and Vice President JD Vance both pressured Kyiv to be more cooperative with US diplomatic initiatives. Soon after, Ukraine announced new support for American peace efforts and floated a controversial proposal that would give the US control over significant portions of its mineral resources in exchange for security guarantees.
Deadlock on the battlefield
As talks stall, the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. On Tuesday, Ukraine ordered the evacuation of seven villages in the Dnipropetrovsk region — previously distant from the frontlines — as Russian forces advanced.
Last week, one of the deadliest missile attacks on Kyiv in months left scores dead and wounded. In response, Trump posted a terse message on social media: “Vladimir, STOP.”
The attack reinforced the urgency of finding a solution but also highlighted how far peace remains out of reach.
Congressional pushback on Trump strategy
Trump’s approach has drawn criticism not only from Ukrainian leaders but also from members of his own government. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a scathing rebuke of the administration’s peace strategy.
“Recognizing Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea would invite additional aggression from Moscow and Beijing,” she said.
“I have endeavored to give President Trump the space to negotiate a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, which is a goal we both share. However, President Trump and his team have fatally mismanaged these negotiations — offering concession after concession to Russia, throwing away our leverage and fracturing the united front with our allies that is critical to ending this war.”
What comes next?
Whether Marco Rubio’s warning represents a genuine threat to walk away from negotiations or a strategic move to pressure both sides remains unclear. What is evident is that the Trump administration is frustrated, and its willingness to continue investing political capital in Ukraine-Russia peace efforts is not unlimited.
The world will be watching closely in the coming weeks to see whether Putin and Zelensky heed the call for concrete proposals — or whether the United States makes good on its threat to step away.
For now, Marco Rubio’s warning that the US will quit Ukraine-Russia peace talks stands as the clearest sign yet that a dramatic shift in US foreign policy could be on the horizon.
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