In a significant development that could reshape the dynamics of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday that the United States may abandon its efforts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine within a matter of days if progress is not visible soon. The remarks were made during Rubio’s visit to Paris, following high-level discussions involving European and Ukrainian leaders.

Rubio made it clear that the United States does not intend to continue these efforts indefinitely. “We’re not going to continue with this endeavour for weeks and months on end,” he stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. “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.”

These remarks came in the backdrop of mounting frustration in the White House, especially as President Donald Trump, who had promised to resolve the conflict swiftly, is yet to achieve any major breakthrough.

US-Ukraine Minerals Deal Shows Progress

Interestingly, Rubio’s announcement came amid signs of a breakthrough in economic cooperation between the US and Ukraine. President Trump revealed on Thursday that he expects to sign a deal with Kyiv next week, which would grant the US access to Ukraine’s critical minerals. The earlier attempt to finalize this agreement in February 2025 had failed due to a clash between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and top US leaders including Vice President JD Vance.

The Paris talks, which marked the first substantive and in-person high-level discussion involving European stakeholders, appear to have revived the momentum. Zelenskiy’s office described the talks as constructive and positive, while Rubio indicated that the US peace framework received an “encouraging reception.”

Campaign Promises and Ground Realities

President Trump had promised to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours of assuming office. However, after taking charge, he recalibrated his expectations, suggesting a deal could be reached by April or May 2025. The lack of tangible results has added pressure on the White House to show progress or pivot its focus to other pressing international challenges.

Rubio’s comments underscore a growing sense of urgency and limitation. “This is important, but there are a lot of other really important things going on that deserve just as much, if not more, attention,” he said, explaining that the US administration wants clarity on the feasibility of the peace framework within days.

Security Guarantees and Challenges

Rubio confirmed that during the Paris discussions, the issue of security guarantees—a key sticking point—was raised. He remained cautiously optimistic, saying that the matter could be “fixed in a way that’s acceptable to everyone.” However, he stressed that there are larger issues at hand that must be addressed urgently.

“There’s no one saying this can be done in 12 hours. But we want to see how far apart it is and whether those differences can even be narrowed,” he stated. “If it’s not possible to get movement within the period of time we have in mind, then we will have to move on.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry has yet to release a formal statement on the talks, although Rubio mentioned that he had spoken with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after the Paris meetings and provided him with a briefing on elements of the US framework.

White House Frustration Grows

Behind the scenes, the Trump administration is facing increased frustration over the lack of movement not just in Ukraine but in several global flashpoints. Rubio’s blunt assessment reflects this mood, pointing to a possible strategic recalibration if the Ukraine issue continues to stagnate.

Analysts believe that while the US-Ukraine minerals deal may serve as an economic win, it does not replace the need for a diplomatic solution to the conflict that has cost thousands of lives and displaced millions. A peace deal, if brokered successfully, could bolster the image of the Trump administration ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and significantly reshape US-Russia-Ukraine relations.

Europe's Role and Silence

Notably, neither the French presidency nor the foreign ministry responded immediately to requests for comment regarding the peace framework. This has raised speculation about whether European stakeholders are fully on board or still weighing their diplomatic options.

Conclusion

The United States now stands at a critical diplomatic crossroad. The possibility of walking away from peace talks comes with significant geopolitical consequences. At stake is not just the fate of Ukraine and its people, but also the global balance of power and the future of international conflict resolution. Whether a viable path to peace can be found in the days ahead remains to be seen, but what is clear is that the window of opportunity is rapidly closing.

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