Rubio: Russia’s Peace Intentions to be Clear Within Weeks/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday the U.S. will know within weeks whether Russia is serious about ending the war in Ukraine. Rubio emphasized that President Trump won’t be drawn into indefinite negotiations. European leaders accused Putin of stalling and demanded concrete action from Moscow.
Rubio: Russia’s Peace Intentions Clear Within Weeks – Quick Looks
- Marco Rubio says U.S. will assess Russia’s sincerity about Ukraine peace talks in weeks
- Russia rejected a full U.S.-backed 30-day ceasefire in March despite Ukrainian agreement
- European leaders accuse Putin of delaying tactics, demand a clear timeline for truce
- President Trump still hopeful, but U.S. grows skeptical of Putin’s intentions
- UK’s David Lammy says ‘we see you, Putin’, as Russia continues strikes
- France and Germany call Russia’s peace rhetoric ‘empty promises’
- Allies push U.S. for firmer deadlines, fearing Russia is buying time
- Diplomats question U.S. reliability, as Trump’s Moscow outreach strains NATO trust
Rubio: Russia’s Peace Intentions to be Clear Within Weeks
Deep Look
The United States expects to know within a matter of weeks whether Russia is genuinely committed to ending the war in Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday during a NATO meeting in Brussels. Rubio’s comments come amid mounting pressure from European allies who are growing frustrated with what they see as deliberate stalling by Moscow.
“We will know soon enough, in a matter of weeks—not months—whether Russia is serious about peace or not. I hope they are,” Rubio stated at the conclusion of the two-day NATO summit. “If this is about dragging things out, President Trump will not fall into the trap of endless negotiations about negotiations.”
Rubio emphasized that Washington is closely watching Russia’s actions, not words, and will base any decisions on how the Kremlin responds to ongoing efforts for a truce.
“Their actions will determine whether they’re serious,” he said.
In March, Moscow rejected a U.S.-led proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire—a plan Ukraine had agreed to. Instead, the warring parties settled on a limited pause in attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure, though both sides have since accused the other of violating that agreement. Talks between Washington and both parties remain ongoing.
European foreign ministers are urging the U.S. to push harder and demand that Russia sign onto a full ceasefire.
France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Moscow “owes an answer to the United States,” after months of U.S. diplomatic efforts to broker peace.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy didn’t hold back, accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of “dragging his feet” and continuing to target Ukrainian civilians and energy supplies. “We see you, Vladimir Putin. We know what you are doing,” Lammy said pointedly.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called Russia’s claims of interest in negotiations “nothing but empty promises,” accusing the Kremlin of “playing for time by raising ever new demands.”
Some NATO members, including Canada and Estonia, have pushed for a firm timeline for Russia to accept a ceasefire, warning that delay tactics may prolong the conflict indefinitely.
A senior State Department official noted that while there isn’t a unified stance on an exact deadline for Russia, there is growing consensus that action must come “sooner rather than later.”
“There was consensus that Russia needs to do more, that Russia should agree to a ceasefire,” the official added.
While President Trump has publicly maintained his belief that Putin is committed to a resolution, sources within the White House say concerns are growing about the Russian leader’s real intentions.
Trump, who campaigned on a promise to bring the three-year conflict to an end, has made overtures toward Moscow in recent months. However, his approach has caused unease among European allies who worry that the U.S. may be too quick to compromise at their expense.
Asked whether NATO leaders received assurances from Rubio that Washington would not make unfavorable concessions to Moscow, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide told Reuters, “I felt that the room had a broad agreement on where the red lines are.”
But some diplomats remain skeptical. “I would say that he [Rubio] said all the right things,” a senior European diplomat said. “But the point is whether there is enough trust left between the U.S. and its allies.”
The stakes remain high as the war grinds into its fourth year, and the coming weeks may prove pivotal. Whether Russia agrees to a meaningful ceasefire or not, the unity—and credibility—of the Western alliance hangs in the balance.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.