The United States has warned it may pull out of its mediation role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict unless both nations present “concrete proposals” to end the war, signaling growing frustration within the Trump administration.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking through spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Tuesday, stated that the U.S. would no longer stay involved without visible progress. “If there is not progress, we will step back as mediators in this process,” Bruce told reporters, adding that the message came directly from Rubio. The final decision, however, would rest with President Donald Trump.
Trump, who had pledged to end the war within 24 hours of returning to office, now faces criticism as his 100th day in power passes without a breakthrough. He maintains that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants peace and has acknowledged a three-day ceasefire proposal by Moscow for upcoming WWII anniversary commemorations. However, the U.S. insists on a lasting and comprehensive ceasefire, not symbolic pauses in fighting.
The United States has already proposed a framework for peace, though Ukraine perceives it as favoring Russian interests, particularly over Crimea and potential land swaps. President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressing an event in Poland via videoconference, rejected any solution that rewards aggression. “No rewards for Putin, especially no land,” he emphasized.
Russia, on its part, has shown little willingness to accept the U.S. framework, with Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia blaming Zelensky for escalating the conflict and dismissing U.S. diplomacy. Yet, the Kremlin says it remains open to talks with Washington.
Domestically, the Trump administration faces bipartisan pushback. Senator Jeanne Shaheen criticized the peace talks as poorly managed, warning that concessions to Russia could embolden further aggression by both Moscow and Beijing.
Meanwhile, violence continues on the ground. Ukraine has ordered evacuations in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region amid renewed Russian offensives, and a deadly missile attack recently struck Kyiv.
President Trump, responding on social media to the latest violence, simply wrote, “Vladimir, STOP.”
With rising tensions and stalled diplomacy, the future of U.S. involvement in the peace process now hangs in the balance.
