The United States may cease participation in the peace process regarding the end of the war in Ukraine — this was stated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, causing concern among European allies. The comments from the American official are perceived as a signal of pressure on Kyiv to activate peace negotiations.
According to international media reports, Rubio made these statements on April 18, emphasizing that the United States may abandon its mediatory role if significant progress is not achieved in ending the war in the near future. In a private conversation with allies, the Secretary also conveyed President Donald Trump’s frustration over the deadlock that the peace negotiations have reached.
“The President believes he has already spent enough time and energy on this. There are many issues in the world that require our attention,” Rubio stated.
The statement came after a phone conversation between the Secretary of State and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, as well as on the eve of a series of meetings in Paris, where representatives of the USA, France, the UK, Germany, and Ukraine discussed possible formats for future peace agreements.
Three European diplomats present at the meetings believe that Rubio’s rhetoric was primarily directed at the Ukrainian side and interpret it as an attempt to exert diplomatic pressure on Kyiv. One of them noted that the American official did not express similar criticism towards Russia, avoiding calls for Moscow to demonstrate constructiveness.
Representatives of the Ukrainian government, commenting on the situation, stated that such statements could indicate a shift in Washington’s position, which previously was more consistently aimed at supporting Ukraine in its fight against aggression. A source close to the Ukrainian delegation suggested that Rubio and other high-ranking officials of the Trump administration are under internal political pressure and are outwardly transmitting it — particularly to allies in the anti-Russian coalition.
Despite Kyiv’s firm public stance that compromises with the aggressor under its conditions are impossible, these signals from Washington are being perceived in Ukraine with concern. Analysts point to the risk that the U.S. might change the tone of its support or, in the worst case, reduce activity in diplomatic efforts to advance Ukrainian interests.
So far, Rubio has not specified any clear timelines or conditions under which the U.S. would exit the negotiation process. However, the overall message of his speech prompts European partners and the Ukrainian side to consider the future of the diplomatic front in the confrontation with Russia.
Let us recall that Washington has repeatedly emphasized that any peaceful settlement must take into account Ukraine’s position and be based on international law principles.
