The United States may soon withdraw from its efforts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine unless there are rapid signs of progress, President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, President Trump expressed frustration over the lack of movement in talks, saying, “Quickly, we want to get it done. If 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.”
Rubio, speaking in Paris following high-level meetings with European and Ukrainian leaders, echoed Trump’s urgency. “We’re not going to continue this endeavour for weeks and months on end,” he said. “We need to determine very quickly—within days—if this is doable in the next few weeks. If it’s not, the president is ready to walk away.”
The warning comes amid growing frustration in Washington over what officials perceive as Russian resistance to a ceasefire agreement. Despite President Trump’s insistence that he is not being misled by Moscow, some within the administration fear the U.S. may be investing time in a failing process.
“My whole life has been one big negotiation,” Trump said. “I know when people are playing us and when they’re not.”
Privately, officials have acknowledged that the prospects for a swift resolution have dimmed. According to European diplomats, Rubio’s remarks reflect mounting concern inside the White House about Russia’s reluctance to compromise.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded by claiming some progress had been made but noted that dialogue with the U.S. remains “difficult.” He reiterated that Moscow is open to further talks, while protecting its national interests.
Thursday’s Paris talks marked the first in-person engagement involving European powers under Trump’s renewed peace push. Rubio reported an “encouraging reception” to the U.S. peace framework, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office called the discussions “constructive and positive.”
Vice President J.D. Vance, meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, voiced optimism that the U.S. could help end the “very brutal war.” Talks are expected to resume in London next week, giving Kyiv time to respond to a proposed “term sheet” from Washington. A U.S. official said Ukraine is prepared to agree to a comprehensive ceasefire lasting at least 30 days.
Despite pledging during his campaign to end the war within 24 hours of taking office, Trump has tempered expectations, now aiming for a resolution by late spring. He has pressured both Kyiv and Moscow, warning of increased sanctions on Russia or potential cuts to U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
A partial ceasefire was previously reached during U.S.-brokered talks in Saudi Arabia, but major breakthroughs have remained elusive. Meanwhile, violence continues, including a recent Russian missile strike in Sumy that killed 35 civilians—an attack Trump condemned as a “mistake.”
Trump is also expected to sign a minerals deal with Ukraine next week after a prior attempt failed. Rubio, following the Paris talks, briefed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the U.S. proposal.
Putin’s demands—including a permanent end to Ukraine’s NATO ambitions and recognition of Russian control over four contested regions—remain major sticking points. Ukraine has dismissed these as tantamount to surrender.
Rubio acknowledged that European nations would play a key role in any deal, particularly regarding sanctions. Discussions also touched on U.S. security guarantees, which Rubio described as solvable, though he added, “We have bigger challenges that we need to figure out.”
