The United States has warned that it may pull out of efforts to broker peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict if there is no clear progress in the near future. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made this statement on Friday after a meeting with European partners in Paris, adding that the US is running out of patience and resources in trying to end the war.
“If it is not possible to end the war in Ukraine, we need to move on,” Rubio told reporters. His comments come at a time when the war between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for more than three years, with little sign of resolution despite numerous international diplomatic efforts.
Rubio, who was accompanied by Special Presidential Envoy Keith Kellogg and Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff, had been in discussions with top European and Ukrainian officials on Thursday in Paris, where they focused on finding ways to end the war. He emphasized that the US has been a strong supporter of Ukraine, but it is not their war to fight.
“It’s not our war. We didn’t start it. The United States has been helping Ukraine for the past three years, and we want it to end, but it’s not our war,” Rubio stated. His comments underline the growing frustration among some US lawmakers and officials regarding the prolonged involvement of the United States in the conflict.
The US has provided substantial military, financial, and humanitarian support to Ukraine since the war began in 2022. However, as the conflict stretches on, some leaders in Washington are questioning whether continuing to push for peace is the best course of action, particularly as other global issues demand attention.
Rubio also pointed out that while US President Donald Trump remains committed to pursuing peace in Ukraine, the US cannot ignore other pressing international matters. He stressed that the focus now is on whether it is even possible to bring an end to the war, and whether further US involvement is viable.
“The president has spent 87 days at the highest level of this government repeatedly taking efforts to bring this war to an end. We are now reaching a point when we need to decide and determine whether this is even possible or not. Which is why we’re engaging both sides,” Rubio added.
Despite his blunt remarks, Rubio’s statement highlights the urgency with which the US is approaching the peace talks. The war, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused severe economic, social, and political disruption in both countries. While there have been multiple rounds of negotiations and efforts to reach a ceasefire, no comprehensive peace deal has been agreed upon.
The US has played a key role in trying to broker peace between the two warring nations. American diplomats have frequently engaged with both Russian and Ukrainian leaders in an attempt to facilitate a resolution. However, the growing frustration with the lack of progress in these negotiations has led to discussions about the US potentially shifting its focus elsewhere if a breakthrough is not achieved soon.
Rubio’s comments come after an intensive period of diplomatic talks involving several European countries, including France, Germany, and the UK. These countries have also been involved in providing support to Ukraine and have called for an end to the violence. The US has worked closely with European partners to develop a unified approach to the conflict, but as the war drags on, there is a growing sense of impatience among some officials.
One of the main challenges in the peace process is the deepening divisions between Russia and Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has refused to negotiate with Ukraine’s leadership, insisting that Ukraine must meet a series of conditions before talks can resume. On the other hand, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for Russia’s full withdrawal from Ukrainian territory before any peace agreement can be reached.
The US, along with its European allies, has supported Ukraine’s position, but the lack of tangible progress in negotiations has led to increasing frustration. While Rubio’s warning about moving on from peace talks may be seen as a strategic pressure tactic, it also reflects the broader reality that the US cannot indefinitely prioritize the Ukraine conflict if there is no clear path to peace.
In the wake of Rubio’s comments, there have been growing calls from both Republicans and Democrats in the US for a re-evaluation of the US’s approach to the Ukraine war. Some critics argue that the US should focus on other pressing issues, including economic recovery and the intensifying geopolitical competition with China and Russia in other regions.
However, there are also voices in the US calling for continued support for Ukraine, arguing that the consequences of allowing the war to drag on could be disastrous, not just for Ukraine, but for global stability as a whole. Some experts warn that the conflict could destabilize the entire region and lead to further escalation, potentially drawing in other nations.
In the meantime, Ukraine remains under heavy pressure as it continues to face Russian military advances, particularly in eastern regions of the country. The US and its European allies have pledged to continue providing military and financial aid to Ukraine, but it remains unclear how long this support can continue if there is no clear end in sight for the war.
As the conflict enters its third year, there is an urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts and meaningful dialogue between all parties involved. While the US has made it clear that it will not indefinitely broker peace talks without progress, the international community remains hopeful that a resolution can be reached.
The outcome of this ongoing conflict will have far-reaching consequences for the region and the world. With US patience wearing thin and European partners also expressing concern, it remains to be seen whether the coming weeks will bring a breakthrough in negotiations or whether the US will move on from its involvement in the peace process.
