In a bold move that underscores the Trump administration’s frustration with the ongoing Ukraine conflict, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a clear and forceful message on Friday: if neither Russia nor Ukraine is serious about making peace, the United States is prepared to walk away from the negotiations—within days.
Standing on the tarmac before boarding a flight back to the U.S., Rubio pulled no punches. “We came here yesterday to begin to talk about more specific outlines of what it might take to end the war,” he told reporters, referencing recent meetings with European and Ukrainian leaders in Paris. “We’re trying to figure out very soon—and I’m talking about a matter of days, not weeks—whether or not this is a war that can be ended.”
Rubio’s comments signaled a turning point. The U.S. is not interested in playing host to endless meetings with no tangible outcomes. “We’re not going to be flying all over the world and do meeting after meeting after meeting if no progress is being made,” he said bluntly.
His frustration wasn’t aimed at one side alone. In a rare move, Rubio criticized both Moscow and Kyiv for dragging their feet. “If they’re serious about peace, either side or both, then we’re going to help… If it’s just a meeting to have another meeting, we’ll figure out whether that will happen… I’m willing to come myself if the meeting is going to be productive.”
But he made it clear: there’s a limit. “If there isn’t a breakthrough in the peace process within days,” Rubio warned, “the President’s probably at a point where he’s going to say, ‘well, we’re done.’”
Some might interpret this as President Trump abandoning Ukraine. But Rubio pushed back on that idea. He emphasized that America is not turning its back—but it won’t be strung along either. “We’ll do what we can, on the margins,” he said, “we’ll be able to help whenever you’re ready to have peace. But we’re not going to continue with this endeavor for weeks and months on end.”
The clock is ticking. “We need to determine very quickly now—again, a matter of days—whether or not this is doable in the next few weeks. If it is, we’re in. If it’s not, we have other priorities to focus on.”
Rubio also issued a stern warning to both Kyiv and Moscow: “There is no military solution to this war.” His point was clear—more weapons, more fighting, and more deaths won’t solve the crisis. Meaningful dialogue is the only way forward, and if the two sides aren’t serious about it, then the U.S. sees no point in sticking around.
This message comes at a moment when the U.S. is still supplying Ukraine with weapons and intelligence while enforcing tough sanctions against Russia. But Rubio’s remarks suggest even that support could shift if there’s no real movement toward peace.
Rubio did find something to praise—Europe’s big players. He specifically commended the U.K., France, Germany, and Italy for their constructive involvement, notably omitting the broader European Union.
“We had a good meeting yesterday,” he said. “I thought the French, the British, the Germans were very constructive, very helpful… We’d like [Europe] to remain engaged. I think they can help us move the ball on this and get it closer to a resolution.”
While the broader peace process is stalled, there may be a sliver of progress elsewhere—in the Trump-backed rare earths minerals deal.
Originally crafted as part of Trump’s effort to rebalance the relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine—from dependency to economic partnership—the deal had collapsed after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Washington with fresh demands.
But that situation may be turning around. Zelensky said on Thursday that “good progress” had been made, and on Friday morning, Ukraine confirmed it had signed an outline deal with Washington. Trump has said a full agreement could be finalized as early as next week. If completed, it could help mend a rocky relationship and show exactly the kind of movement Rubio says is needed to keep America involved.
Secretary Rubio’s message was unmistakable: America is not here to be taken for granted. If there’s a path to peace, the U.S. will be there to help. But if Russia and Ukraine keep dragging their feet, this administration won’t keep wasting time and resources.
The world is watching—and the clock is ticking.
