**US Threatens to Abandon Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks if No Agreement Reached**
The United States is running out of patience in its efforts to negotiate a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Washington will cease its attempts to broker a ceasefire within days unless there’s a clear indication that an agreement is possible.
Speaking after meeting European and Ukrainian officials in Paris, Rubio emphasized that President Donald Trump is still interested in reaching a deal, but has other priorities as well. The US President had initially vowed to broker a ceasefire within 24 hours of taking office, with the deadline later extended to 100 days.
Despite these efforts, progress has been slow, with Russia refusing to accept a full 30-day ceasefire backed by Washington and Kyiv. A partial truce on strikes against energy facilities also failed to hold. “We’re not going to continue this endeavour for weeks and months on end,” Rubio said. “So we need to determine very quickly now – within days, whether or not this is doable in the next few weeks.”
**The Stakes are High**
If no agreement is reached, it could have significant implications for the conflict-torn region. The US has been a key player in international efforts to resolve the crisis, and its withdrawal from peace talks would likely embolden Russia’s stance.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has made it clear that it will not recognize Russian occupation of its sovereign territory. President Volodymyr Zelensky met with pro-Ukraine Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick on April 17 to discuss peace and security guarantees for Ukraine.
**Russia’s Reactions**
The Kremlin has been under increasing pressure from the international community, with the US and European Union imposing sanctions in response to Russia’s actions. Moscow has retaliated by launching a series of attacks against Ukrainian targets, including an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 37 attack drones overnight on April 18.
“We’re facing an unprecedented level of aggression,” said Zelensky, condemning Russian actions as “murder”. Ukrainian forces reported killing around 200 Russian soldiers and injuring 30 others in the same period.
**International Reactions**
The international community has expressed growing frustration with Russia’s stance. France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot praised the meeting of European and Ukrainian officials in Paris as a crucial step towards resolving the conflict. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty.
US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce reiterated Washington’s commitment to finding a peaceful solution, saying that President Trump wants “this war to end” and has presented outlines for a durable peace agreement to all parties involved.
**What Next?**
The coming days will be critical in determining the course of events. If no agreement is reached, it remains unclear what impact this would have on US troop presence in Ukraine. However, one thing is certain: the stakes are high, and the international community will be watching closely as the situation unfolds.
Sources:
* Kyiv Independent
* BBC News
