Trump says U.S. will take a pass on Ukraine talks without progress

Trump warns Washington may step back if Russia and Ukraine fail to move toward truce.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the swearing-in ceremony for Mehmet Oz as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 18, 2025. Photo by Mandel Ngan/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

President Donald Trump made headlines on Friday by stating that the United States would “take a pass” on further involvement in Ukraine peace negotiations unless Moscow and Kyiv show real movement toward a ceasefire. His remarks echoed and reinforced earlier comments from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who warned during recent consultations with European allies that Washington could "move on" if progress toward a truce remains elusive in the coming days.

Trump says U.S. will take a pass on Ukraine talks not only reflects Trump's abrupt policy pivot but also marks a significant departure from the diplomatic tone the U.S. has maintained over the past two years of the war.

Trump doubles down on Rubio's warning

Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump confirmed Rubio’s statement when asked by reporters whether the administration had imposed a time limit on mediation efforts.

“Yeah, very shortly,” Trump said. “No specific number of days, but quickly. We want to get it done.”

While the president refused to assign blame to either Russian President Vladimir Putin or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, he made it clear that both leaders were running out of time to show good faith in moving forward.

“If for some reason one of the two parties makes it very difficult,” Trump added, “we’re just going to say: ‘You’re foolish. You’re fools. You’re horrible people’—and we’re going to just take a pass.”

Trump's approach underscores a no-nonsense, results-driven stance that may appeal to his political base but raises questions among foreign policy experts about its implications for global stability.

Trump’s evolving tone on Ukraine and Putin

Since returning to the White House, Trump has attempted to walk a tightrope between diplomacy and deterrence. He has often said he could end the Ukraine war “within 24 hours,” although he recently admitted that claim was sarcastic. Still, his administration’s tone has shifted from assertive engagement to guarded disengagement.

In a move that stunned many in Western capitals, Trump opened direct talks with Vladimir Putin in February, shortly after retaking office. While these discussions were viewed as bold by some, critics say they gave the Russian leader a platform to stall or extract concessions.

Asked Friday if he believed Putin was stalling, Trump said, “I hope not. I’ll let you know soon.”

When pressed further, he dismissed the notion that he was being manipulated.

“Nobody’s playing me. I’m trying to help,” he said.

Ukraine accuses Russia of delay tactics

Trump’s remarks come as Ukraine continues to support a temporary ceasefire deal while accusing Russia of dragging its feet to gain a stronger position at the negotiating table. Ukrainian officials argue that every day lost in talks allows Moscow to rearm, regroup, and consolidate territorial gains.

Zelensky, while publicly maintaining a diplomatic tone, is said to be privately frustrated with the lack of urgency on the Russian side. He has also expressed concerns that the U.S. stepping away from talks would weaken Kyiv’s hand and embolden the Kremlin.

Despite Trump's threat to disengage, his administration has not yet clarified what “taking a pass” will mean in practical terms. Will the U.S. withdraw its envoys from talks altogether? Will military or humanitarian aid be paused? These questions remain unanswered.

Europe caught in the middle

Rubio’s comments and Trump’s confirmation have left European allies scrambling to reassess their roles in the peace process. Several leaders from NATO and the EU have privately voiced concerns that an American pullback could lead to a fractured negotiating front—something that would benefit the Kremlin.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Annalena Baerbock are expected to meet next week to discuss contingency plans in the event the U.S. formally steps away from Ukraine mediation. One diplomat from Brussels, speaking anonymously, said, “The Americans pulling out would be a massive blow. Putin would spin it as a victory.”

Trump’s statement also has domestic political implications. While his base continues to support a reduced U.S. footprint abroad, some members of Congress—both Republican and Democrat—have warned that stepping away from the Ukraine conflict could damage America’s credibility as a global leader.

Senator Lindsey Graham expressed unease after Trump’s comments. “I understand the frustration, but we have to remember what's at stake here. If Russia wins, the message to authoritarian regimes worldwide is that force works.”

Others, like Senator Josh Hawley, praised Trump’s stance. “The American people are tired of endless wars and empty negotiations. Trump is right—we can’t be taken for granted.”

A calculated risk?

The move to potentially abandon Ukraine talks is not without risk. Trump’s critics argue that by setting a vague but urgent deadline, the U.S. could inadvertently push Kyiv into making concessions under pressure. At the same time, it could allow Russia to continue leveraging delays without consequence.

But Trump appears confident in his approach. He believes that the mere threat of withdrawal could be enough to force both sides back to the table with a greater sense of urgency.

“I don’t want to walk away,” he said, “but I will if I have to. This can’t drag on forever.”

The global geopolitical environment has changed drastically since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022. Trump’s potential disengagement from talks would mark a turning point not just for the conflict itself but for how the U.S. conducts diplomacy moving forward.

Some analysts believe this is Trump signaling a broader shift away from multilateralism and back to a more transactional foreign policy model.

Whether this strategy yields results or backfires remains to be seen. But for now, the message from Washington is clear: if Moscow and Kyiv don’t act fast, America is ready to walk away.