US may reconsider role in Ukraine peace efforts: Rubio
3 Min Read
Rubio's remarks align with the growing frustration within the Trump administration over stalled negotiations.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during Declaration of Principles signing ceremony with Congo's Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwanda's Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe,Friday, April 25, 2025, at the State Department in Washington (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated on Sunday that Washington may soon reevaluate its participation in efforts to reach a settlement in the Ukraine conflict, depending on developments in the coming days.
Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press, Rubio described the upcoming week as pivotal for determining whether the United States will continue its involvement in the peace process or shift its focus to other priorities.
"I think this is gonna be a very critical week. This week is gonna be a really important week in which we have to make a determination about whether this is an endeavor that we want to continue to be involved or if it's time to sort of focus on some other issues that are equally if not more important in some cases. But we wanna see it happen. There are reasons to be optimistic, but there are reasons to be realistic of course as well," Rubio stated.
🇺🇸 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio comments on a potential agreement to end the war in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/ZKTF851cVp
— Zlatti71 (@Zlatti_71) April 27, 2025
Rubio's remarks align with the proclaimed growing frustration within the Trump administration over stalled negotiations. President Donald Trump, speaking last Friday, noted the urgency of the situation, calling for a rapid ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. "Yeah, very short," Trump said when asked to clarify expectations around a ceasefire timeline. "No specific number of days, but quickly. We want to get it done," he added, dismissing speculation that Russia was manipulating the talks: "Nobody's playing anybody."
The push for swift progress comes after the collapse of a 30-day temporary ceasefire earlier this month, which reignited hostilities between Russia and Ukraine. A subsequent round of talks in Paris failed to deliver substantial results, further deepening diplomatic tensions.
Major obstacles persist, with Moscow demanding Ukraine's withdrawal from annexed territories and a pledge to never join NATO, terms Kiev has firmly rejected. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated his insistence on the full restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity and has publicly criticized US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff for allegedly favoring Russian narratives during negotiations.
Observers note that Rubio's remarks suggest US support for the diplomatic initiative is conditional and will be reassessed depending on concrete results. While expressing hope for a peaceful resolution, Rubio stressed the need for realism, recognizing the complexity of the conflict and the deep divisions between the parties involved.
Additionally, Rubio explained that Washington has deliberately avoided expanding sanctions against Russia in recent weeks, aiming not to derail the fragile peace talks. The administration, he suggested, continues to pursue a negotiated settlement while weighing broader strategic considerations.
Read more: Trump slams Zelensky over Crimea, says peace deal at risk
