Washington:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a warning on Tuesday, stating that the United States would cease its mediation efforts unless concrete proposals are put forth by Russia and Ukraine. The patience of the US is wearing thin on this early priority for President Donald Trump, who had pledged to end the war within his first 24 hours in office. As Trump marks his 100th day in office, it seems that the administration may soon shift its focus to other pressing matters, according to Rubio.
“We are now at a critical juncture where both parties need to present tangible solutions on how to bring an end to this conflict,” said State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, relaying Rubio’s message to reporters. She added, “If there is no progress, we will step back from our role as mediators in this process.” Ultimately, the decision to proceed with diplomacy lies with Trump.
While Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a three-day ceasefire around Moscow’s upcoming commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, he has rejected a US-supported call for a 30-day ceasefire. The US is pushing for a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire to resolve the conflict, rather than short-term pauses for celebrations.
– Pressure Tactics –
It remains unclear whether Rubio is truly ready to pivot or if he is using this statement as a means to exert pressure on both countries, particularly Russia. Trump’s outreach to Putin, following criticisms of his predecessor’s support for Ukraine, has raised concerns about concessions made to Russia and the erosion of US leverage in negotiations.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed reservations about recognizing Russia’s annexation of Crimea, citing concerns about inviting further aggression from Moscow and Beijing. She criticized the Trump administration for what she deemed as a mismanagement of negotiations, leading to concessions to Russia and a weakening of the united front with allies.
As the situation in Ukraine intensifies with Russian forces closing in on villages in the eastern region, the need for a resolution to the conflict grows more urgent. Recent attacks, including a ballistic missile strike in Kyiv, have underscored the devastating impact of the war.
Trump, who has emphasized his relationship with Putin, took to social media to urge a halt to the violence in the wake of the attack. The conflict in Ukraine continues to pose challenges for the international community, with efforts to reach a fair and lasting resolution ongoing.
