Trump threatens to exit Ukraine talks if either Russia or Ukraine continues making the peace process very difficult, the US President warned Friday. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said he wanted a ceasefire deal quickly but refused to name a timeline for its success.
His comments came just hours after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed similar frustration, stating the US wouldn’t chase a dead-end deal. He told the reporters they would move on if this weren’t doable. i.
Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and continues placing strict conditions on any potential ceasefire, complicating talks. Despite early confidence in a fast resolution, Trump’s administration has yet to deliver a workable agreement.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded, saying the negotiation process remains difficult but insisted Russia remains open to dialogue. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced new Russian missile strikes had killed two people Friday, underscoring the urgency of a ceasefire.
US Vice President JD Vance, meeting Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, said he remains optimistic despite ongoing violence. “We can hopefully bring this war – this very brutal war – to a close,” he said, referencing talks between Russia, Ukraine, and US officials.
In Paris, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha met Rubio and Trump’s special envoy to discuss ceasefire logistics and post-war security. Ukraine and the US also signed a memorandum to build an investment fund to support Ukraine’s reconstruction after the war. Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said she expects the deal to benefit both nations.
However, details remain unclear as Ukrainian lawmakers push back on Trump’s demands that Ukraine repay previous US military aid. After Trump’s threat, frustration grows, while peace remains uncertain and Russian strikes continue. The world watches, waiting for a resolution.
