The U.S. is signaling it’s nearly done waiting on peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio say the effort has just days left before America shifts its focus elsewhere.
Key Facts: US Reaching End of Support for Ukraine If Deal Not Reached Soon
- Trump and Rubio say U.S. peace efforts in Ukraine will end within days if no progress is made.
- Talks in Paris included European leaders and Ukraine’s President Zelensky, with signs of some movement.
- Russia is reportedly open to talks but has made major demands, including Ukrainian surrender of territory.
- Trump’s envoy met with Putin recently, calling the discussions “compelling” but without results.
- The U.S. and Ukraine are close to finalizing a mineral deal as part of broader negotiations.
Rest of the Story: Rubio and Trump Push Deadline for Ukraine Russia Peace Talks
President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear this week that the U.S. won’t keep pushing for peace in Ukraine indefinitely.
After three years of war and billions in aid, the Trump administration says it’s time to either make a deal or move on.
Talks in Paris between the U.S., Ukraine, and European allies were described as productive, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s office calling them “constructive.”
Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff also met with Putin and believes Russia is open to peace.
Still, major obstacles remain.
Russia wants Ukraine to give up four occupied territories and drop its NATO bid—conditions Kyiv rejects.
Rubio briefed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on America’s peace proposal, but admitted time is running out.
“We’re not going to continue with this endeavor for weeks and months on end,” Rubio said.
“So we need to determine very quickly now, and I’m talking about a matter of days, whether or not this is doable in the next few weeks,” he continued.
“If it’s not possible, if we’re so far apart that this is not going to happen, then I think [President Trump] is probably at a point where he’s going to say, ‘Well, we’re done,’” Rubio added.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio: "The Ukraine war is a terrible thing but it's not our war…The president has spent 87 days at the highest level of his government, repeatedly taking efforts to bring this war to an end. We are now reaching a point where we need to decide and… pic.twitter.com/ibwLh5Q950
— Mr Producer (@RichSementa) April 18, 2025
Trump confirmed his stance. “If for some reason one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we’re just going to say ’you are foolish, you’re fools, you’re horrible people’ and we’re going to just take a pass,” Trump told reporters. “And Marco’s right in saying it.”
TRUMP'S NEW STATEMENT ON UKRAINE WAR: "If, for some reason, one of the parties make it very difficult – we're just gonna say, you're foolish, you're fools, you're horrible people, we're gonna just take a pass. Hopefully we won't have to."pic.twitter.com/X9mKsfIvAY
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 18, 2025
Commentary: Ukraine War Is Costly Stalemate with No Clear End
The war between Russia and Ukraine has dragged on for too long with no end in sight.
While early hopes pointed to quick diplomacy or decisive battlefield results, the reality has been years of death, destruction, and an endless flow of foreign aid.
President Trump promised during his campaign that he could end the war in 24 hours.
That goal now looks more like wishful thinking.
Even with direct talks, neither side seems ready to budge, and Trump is rightly warning that the U.S. can’t pour time and resources into a fight with no resolution.
Europe wants to keep funding Ukraine’s defense but won’t send troops.
It’s clear they fear what Russian aggression means for their borders, but they aren’t willing to pay the full price of resistance.
Instead, the U.S. has been footing the bill—sending weapons, cash, and promises.
There was once an agreement that NATO and the U.S. would protect Ukraine in exchange for its nuclear disarmament. However, the western nations have stopped short of real intervention and instead manages the conflict from afar while pouring billions of dollars into what has become an endless, unwinnable war.
Trump is now exploring other ways to benefit, including a deal with Ukraine for access to mineral resources.
If finalized, it could help offset the cost of war support, but it also signals a shift toward U.S. self-interest and away from endless commitments.
At this point, the war has become a money pit.
Tens of thousands are dead, Europe is no closer to peace, and America has little to show for its involvement.
Whether or not Trump can close a deal with Putin and Zelensky, it may be time to step back and let the region settle its own conflicts.
The Bottom Line: US Reaching End of Support for Ukraine If Deal Not Reached Soon
The Trump administration is signaling a shift in foreign policy.
Without progress in Ukraine peace talks, the U.S. is prepared to exit the process.
Trump and Rubio both stress that America’s priority is no longer this war, especially with a minerals deal on the table.
If Ukraine and Russia can’t find common ground soon, the U.S. will move on—ending what has become an expensive and endless international burden.
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