Fri Apr 18 18:00:00 UTC 2025: ## US May Abandon Ukraine Peace Efforts, Rubio Warns

**Paris/Rome** – Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stark warning Friday, suggesting the United States may abandon its efforts to broker peace in Ukraine if significant progress isn’t made within days. Speaking after meetings in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron, Rubio stated, “If it is not possible to end the war in Ukraine, we need to move on.” The Trump administration will decide within days whether a ceasefire is achievable in the coming weeks, he added.

While Rubio’s comments did not explicitly clarify whether this would entail a complete withdrawal of US support for Ukraine or simply abandoning the pursuit of a 30-day ceasefire, the statement is causing concern in Kyiv, which relies heavily on American military aid. The remarks appear aimed at pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into accepting potentially difficult compromises.

This stance contrasts sharply with Vice President JD Vance’s expressed optimism regarding the negotiations during a visit to Rome. Speaking before a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Vance voiced a more hopeful outlook on the prospects for peace.

The differing tones highlight an internal administration debate. President Trump’s past comments, including his assertion that Ukraine was responsible for the Russian invasion and his openly stated lack of enthusiasm for President Zelensky, further complicate the situation. Conversely, Trump has described his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin as positive.

Europe, wielding significant influence over Zelensky, is now under increased pressure to facilitate a resolution to the ongoing conflict. The future of US involvement in the Ukraine conflict hangs in the balance as the administration weighs its options.

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