Russia Ukraine Conflict : US Threatens to Halt Peace Talks 

The U.S. may soon “move on” from its attempts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine if there is no tangible progress in the coming days, Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated on Friday. Speaking to reporters in Paris after a day of intense discussions with Ukrainian and European officials, Rubio emphasized the urgency of the situation.

“We’re not going to continue with this endeavor for weeks and months on end,” Rubio stated. “We need to determine very quickly now, within a matter of days, whether this is doable in the short term, because if it’s not, then I think we’re just going to move on.” He also noted that President Donald Trump shares his strong sentiment on the matter.

Rubio’s comments follow the announcement from Yulia Svyrydenko, Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister and economy minister, regarding a memorandum signed with the U.S. This agreement is expected to enhance economic ties by providing U.S. access to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals and potentially facilitating a broader economic partnership, including the establishment of an investment fund for reconstruction efforts in Ukraine, which has been heavily impacted by Russia’s ongoing invasion since 2022.

While Rubio did not mention the memorandum during his briefing after discussions at the Élysée Palace, the implications of these developments are significant. Tensions had previously stalled negotiations, particularly after a February meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy devolved into a public clash.

Rubio’s warning comes as Trump expressed optimism about signing a minerals deal with Kyiv next week, a progression that could mark a crucial turning point in U.S.-Ukraine relations. However, with the ongoing war and pressing global issues, Trump is reportedly prepared to pivot away from peace negotiations if decisive progress is not made soon.