The US has made its position clear on peace talks related to the Ukraine conflict.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed on May 2nd (US time) that Washington will not abandon its efforts to mediate and end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This statement came after an earlier announcement from the US State Department raised concerns that the country might withdraw from the negotiations.
However, Rubio warned that if the negotiations remain deadlocked, the U.S. could "move toward withdrawing."
"If there is no progress between the two sides, we will withdraw from our mediating role," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters at a press briefing earlier that day.
Speaking later on Sean Hannity's Fox News show, Rubio said, "We're not going to give up by not being willing to help if we can." He stressed that the final decision would rest with President Donald Trump. "At some point, either there has to be a change, or we all need to move on to the next step. That's the decision the president needs to make," the Secretary of State said.
Rubio stressed that the conflict – which escalated under former President Joe Biden's administration in 2022 – "is not our war" and said the U.S. now considers confronting China and Iran's nuclear program higher priorities.
Later, Bruce clarified to Fox News that, "Our position remains the same at the moment, but if there is no progress, that will change." She dismissed claims that the administration was abandoning peace efforts.
Since returning to the White House in January, President Trump has pressed both Moscow and Kyiv toward a ceasefire, but he has recently expressed frustration at the lack of progress.
Moscow recently announced its readiness to hold direct negotiations with Kyiv “without preconditions.” Russian President Vladimir Putin also ordered Russian forces to observe a 72-hour ceasefire during the upcoming Victory Day celebrations.
However, Ukrainian President Zelensky rejected the proposal, calling it "a plot to manipulate."
