Donald Trump has indicated that the United States may withdraw from facilitating further peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine if there is no tangible progress soon. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday, the former president expressed his skepticism about the likelihood of achieving a ceasefire in the immediate future, stating that while he hopes for a quick resolution, he is not expecting a truce to materialize in a “specific number of days.”
Trump’s remarks came shortly after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the U.S. would abandon its efforts in the talks if it becomes clear that a resolution is unattainable. “We’re not going to continue with this endeavour for weeks and months on end,” Rubio asserted, pointing out that the U.S. has other pressing priorities that require attention.
Calls for urgency in negotiations
When discussing the ongoing conflict, Trump remarked, “We’re talking about here people dying. We’re going to get it stopped, ideally. Now if, for some reason, one of the two parties makes it very difficult, 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.” His comments reflect a growing frustration as the conflict, which escalated with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, continues without a clear path to peace.
Despite initial optimism from the Trump administration regarding a swift resolution, efforts to achieve a full ceasefire have encountered numerous obstacles, with Washington attributing blame to both parties involved. Following discussions with European leaders in Paris about the ceasefire, Rubio reiterated the urgency, stating, “We need to determine very quickly now – and I’m talking about a matter of days – whether or not this is doable. If it’s not going to happen, then we’re just going to move on.” He acknowledged the considerable challenges in reaching a peace agreement but insisted that there must be indications of feasibility soon.
Ongoing military actions and diplomatic efforts
While diplomatic discussions continue, military actions have not abated. On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russian missile strikes had resulted in casualties, highlighting the ongoing peril faced by civilians amidst the conflict. During a separate meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, U.S. Vice President JD Vance expressed optimism about the potential to conclude the war, stating, “I won’t prejudge them, but we do feel optimistic that we can hopefully bring this war – this very brutal war – to a close.” His comments followed news of progress on a minerals agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine, which had previously stalled due to a confrontation between Trump and Zelensky.
According to a memorandum of intent signed recently, both countries aim to establish an investment fund dedicated to Ukraine’s reconstruction, with plans to finalize the agreement by April 26. Although the specifics of the deal remain somewhat unclear, it is believed to extend beyond minerals to include aspects of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Ukrainian negotiators have been cautious, resisting Trump’s proposals for a joint investment fund that would effectively reimburse the U.S. for military aid. However, they seem to have acknowledged the potential benefits of a deal for post-war recovery.
Zelensky has emphasized the importance of securing U.S. security guarantees in any ceasefire arrangement, warning that a ceasefire without such assurances would be precarious for Ukraine. To date, the U.S. has been hesitant to provide these guarantees, arguing that American business presence could deter further Russian aggression, although this strategy has proven ineffective in the past.
As international negotiations continue, the dynamics of the conflict remain complex, with both sides facing pressures to achieve resolutions that address the needs and safety of their populations.