Marco Rubio warned the U.S. could abandon mediation efforts "within days" unless progress materializes, while the Kremlin insists "certain advancements" have been made, including a month-long pause in strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. However, Moscow accuses Kyiv of violating the informal moratorium, complicating negotiations aimed at ending the 3-year conflict.
The renewed diplomatic push follows Donald Trump's February call with Vladimir Putin, which revived stalled talks hosted by Saudi Arabia. U.S. proposals now include easing sanctions on Russia contingent on ceasefire compliance, though Ukraine remains wary of territorial concessions. Putin demands recognition of annexed regions, NATO exclusion guarantees, and Ukraine’s "demilitarization"—terms Kyiv calls "ultimatum messages."
Secretary of State Rubio stressed urgency ahead of Paris talks involving American, Ukrainian, and European officials, which yielded no immediate breakthroughs. With frontline fighting ongoing, the White House faces mounting pressure to either secure a deal or recalibrate its strategy as election-year dynamics intensify.
