**Ukraine’s Diplomatic Win Turns Sour as US Threatens to Pull Out of Peace Efforts**
In a sudden turn of events, Ukraine’s hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough with the United States have been dashed. The country had agreed on a framework for a mineral deal that would see Washington invest in its recovery, but this progress has been overshadowed by threats from President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to pull out of brokering a ceasefire.
The US administration’s stance is a blow to Ukraine, which had hoped that America’s growing impatience with Russia would translate into further sanctions for Moscow. Instead, the threat of the US washing its hands of the peace efforts suits the Kremlin more than Kyiv.
**Deadly Attacks on Civilians in Ukraine Go Uncondemned**
In recent days, Russia has launched some of the deadliest missile strikes on civilians in Ukraine, with over 100 people injured and one person killed in Kharkiv. However, these attacks have not brought any condemnation from the White House, which continues to use a carrot-and-stick approach to get both sides to agree to a ceasefire.
The US has paused military aid to Kyiv, while improving relations with Moscow. This move has led Ukraine to agree to a full ceasefire, but Russia has refused to budge on its demands for more Ukrainian territory and the removal of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
**Ukraine’s Military Aid Running Out**
US military aid for Ukraine is gradually running out, with no new packages scheduled for Congress or presidential draw-down powers. This means that if Washington turns its back on peace efforts, Ukraine will be left reliant on its European allies to counter Russia’s continued invasion.
The consensus is that this collective weight would be insufficient in the long term to counter Russian aggression. On the Ukrainian-controlled coastline, Kyiv has had success with Western and domestically-produced drones, which have forced Russia’s fleet back and restored a major shipping lane.
**Battlefield Realities Being Lost on Wider Audience**
However, President Zelensky admits that the battlefield realities are being lost on a wider audience. Despite progress on the mineral deal, the Trump administration’s threat has left it looking more like a business venture than a genuine attempt to support Ukraine.
This poses greater questions on whether Washington cares who controls Ukraine in the long term as long as US commercial interests are protected. The comments of Mykhailo, a Ukrainian naval officer commanding a US-made patrol ship, highlight the concerns: “If Russia occupies all of Ukraine, who knows? In ten or fifteen years’ time, Russia will go to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, any of the Baltic countries, that is quite clear.”
**A Business Venture Instead of Peace Efforts**
The mineral deal was initially seen as a way for Ukraine to recover from its economic struggles. However, with the US administration’s threat to pull out of peace efforts, it has turned into a business venture rather than a genuine attempt to support Ukraine.
As Mykhailo notes, if Russia occupies all of Ukraine, the consequences will be felt far beyond the country’s borders: “Russia will go to Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, any of the Baltic countries… that is quite clear.” The implications are stark, and it remains to be seen whether Washington will take a genuine interest in supporting Ukraine or protecting its commercial interests.
