US State Department threatens to withdraw from Ukraine war talks
Photo: US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce (x com U.S. Department of State)
The US State Department has warned it will end its mediation in negotiations to resolve the war in Ukraine if significant progress is not made, CNN reports.
Speaking at a briefing on Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the US expects concrete steps from both Russia and Ukraine.
"We are now at a time where concrete proposals need to be delivered by the two parties on how to end this conflict," Bruce said, conveying the position of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
She added that the decision will be made by President Donald Trump, but the US is ready to withdraw from the negotiation process.
"How we proceed from here is a decision that belongs now to the president. If there is no progress, we will step back as mediators in this process," Bruce said.
When asked by CNN whether her statement should be interpreted as a rejection of European and Ukrainian counterproposals, Bruce did not give a direct answer and repeated her initial remarks.
She also did not clarify whether Rubio plans further discussions with his European or Ukrainian counterparts. Over the weekend, he spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at Moscow’s request, and on Monday with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
“Clearly, this is not a closing of the door,” Bruce noted.
US warnings
Recently, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that the United States may withdraw from the peace process if there’s no imminent prospect of a swift agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
Later, President Donald Trump confirmed that the US could end its involvement in the talks if either side obstructs peace efforts.
In recent days, the US President also said the next few days will be critical for negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. He noted that the United States is "putting a lot of pressure on Russia" to reach a peace deal.
Meanwhile, according to the Financial Times, there are growing concerns in Europe that Trump will soon withdraw from the peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, using minimal progress as an excuse.
