Trump’s Top Diplomat Threatens To ‘Move On’ From Ukraine Peace Talks If There’s No Progress
Donald Trump’s secretary of state has warned that the US may “move on” from the Russia-Ukraine peace talks if there’s no further progress.
After meeting European and Ukrainian leaders in Paris to discuss the war, Marco Rubio told reporters on Friday the US needs to figure out if peace “is doable” at all.
He said: “No one is saying it is done in 12 hours, but we want to see how far apart it is and whether those differences can even be narrowed, whether it’s even possible to get movement within the period of time we have in mind.”
The US has often pushed for a quick resolution, with Trump promising before he got into office to end the war within 24 hours of his inauguration.
The president soon altered that self-imposed deadline to another – April or May.
Rubio continued: “We need to figure out here – now, within a matter of days – whether this is doable, in the short term, because if it’s not, I think we’re just going to move on.”
According to Reuters, he continued: “We’re not going to continue with this endeavour for weeks and months on end.
“So we need to determine very quickly now, and I’m talking about a matter of days whether or not this is doable in the next few weeks. If it is we’re in. If it’s not, then we have other priorities to focus on as well.
“The president feels very strongly about that. He has dedicated a lot of time and energy to this … this is important, but there are a lot of other really important things going on that deserves just as much, if not more attention.”
After meeting with Vladimir Putin, Witkoff suggested Ukraine should cede its five occupied territories to Russia in the name of peace.
Zelenskyy then accused the envoy of spreading “Russian narratives”.
He added: “The territories are ours, they belong to our people and not only us but the future Ukrainian people… So I don’t understand what he’s talking about.”
Trump also resumed his own criticisms of Zelenskyy on Thursday, having already – falsely – accused him starting the war.
He said: “I don’t know Zelenskyy responsible but I’m not exactly thrilled with the fact that the war started.
“I’m not blaming him, but what I am saying is that I wouldn’t say he’s done the greatest job, OK? I am not a big fan.”
Putin started the war by invading Ukraine in February 2022.
Meanwhile, the US and Ukraine are sign their minerals deal next week, recognising the “significant financial and material support” Washington has given to Kyiv since Russia’s invasion.
