The United States has reportedly withdrawn as a mediator from the Russia-Ukraine peace talks following President Putin’s refusal to sign a ceasefire agreement.
The U.S. State Department announced a shift in its approach to the talks, stating that it will no longer “travel the world aimlessly” for meetings. This move marks a significant change in U.S. involvement, signaling a retreat from direct facilitation of the diplomatic process.
The development comes shortly after the U.S. signed a new mineral deal with Ukraine under more favorable terms than previously expected. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has reportedly approved the first round of weapons deliveries under his administration to Kyiv, according to a report by The Telegraph.
In its latest statement, the State Department urged both Kyiv and Moscow to present “concrete” proposals for ending the war and to meet directly to resolve the conflict.
While he had repeatedly said it was easier to deal with Vladimir Putin in the Russia-Ukraine peace talks, Trump is said to be growing increasingly frustrated with the Russian president. Overnight U.S. intelligence briefings suggest that Putin’s position has weakened and that he has shifted his military objectives in an effort to consolidate territorial gains.
On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned during an appearance on Fox News that real progress must be made to end the war. Otherwise, he said, Trump will be forced to “draw a line” and decide how much more time he will dedicate to the issue moving forward.
