The United States may reconsider its diplomatic engagement on Ukraine if there is no viable path to peace, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a visit to Paris.
His comments followed a trilateral meeting involving American, European and Ukrainian officials, amid faltering ceasefire talks initiated by Washington.
Speaking on Friday 18 April at Paris–Le Bourget Airport before returning to Washington, Rubio told reporters: “We need to determine in the coming days whether peace is achievable. If it is not, then we must move on to other things, because the United States has other priorities.”
European Powers Step Forward
Rubio also underscored the role of European allies in the current efforts, noting that the United Kingdom, France and Germany could “help, advance the process, and bring us closer to a resolution.” He described their contributions as “very helpful and constructive.”
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the discussions, calling them “positive and constructive” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
According to French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, the Paris meeting marked the first time American, European and Ukrainian representatives had gathered around the same table to discuss concrete options for achieving a settlement. Barrot described the talks as a step towards exploring avenues for “a just and lasting peace.”
Ceasefire Talks at an Impasse
The trilateral discussions took place against the backdrop of stalled ceasefire negotiations and continued fighting on the ground. While Washington has made multiple attempts to facilitate a temporary cessation of hostilities, little progress has been made in securing terms acceptable to both Kyiv and Moscow.
Russia has not indicated any change in its military posture. Moscow continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw its armed forces not only from territories currently under Russian control, but also from parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts which remain under Ukrainian administration. The Kremlin claims these territories as part of the Russian Federation, having unilaterally annexed them in 2022 and incorporated them into its Constitution according to the pre-2014 administrative boundaries of Ukraine’s regions. However, Russian forces do not control large parts of these areas, and have not been able to capture them despite prolonged military efforts.
Ukraine, for its part, continues to demand the full restoration of its territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders, including Crimea.
Strategic Realignment in Washington
Rubio’s reference to “other priorities” reflects broader recalibrations underway in Washington. With President Trump back in office and reshaping U.S. foreign policy, there are signs of a shift in emphasis away from Europe and towards other global theatres, including the Indo-Pacific.
Domestic political considerations may also be playing a role. With the administration under pressure to refocus on domestic issues and reduce overseas commitments, the prospect of an open-ended military and financial engagement in Ukraine is increasingly viewed as politically unsustainable in certain circles within the White House and Congress.
While Rubio did not clarify what “moving on” would entail in practical terms, the language marks a departure from the more committed tone that characterised U.S. policy under the previous administration.
No joint communiqué was issued following the Paris talks, but participants described the discussions as constructive. The forthcoming meeting in London is expected to continue exploring diplomatic frameworks, although officials have tempered expectations regarding immediate outcomes.
