Will Russia Agree to Peace with Ukraine? The U.S. Weighs Its Next Move
The world will soon know if Russia is serious about peace with Ukraine, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He spoke on Friday, after European allies criticized Moscow for delaying a ceasefire in response to calls from the Trump administration.
U.S. President Donald Trump has been vocal about his belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin is committed to ending the three-year-long war with Ukraine. Despite this, the White House has recently become more cautious about Putin’s intentions, though Trump continues to publicly express confidence in Putin’s desire for peace.
Rubio, addressing reporters at the end of a two-day NATO meeting, emphasized that the U.S. would soon know, “in a matter of weeks, not months,” whether Russia is genuinely interested in peace. He added, “I hope they are.” Rubio also stated that President Trump would not be fooled by endless negotiations without real progress. “We’re testing to see if the Russians are interested in peace. Their actions, not words, will determine whether they’re serious,” he said.
Moscow’s Response to Ceasefire Proposals
The U.S. proposed a full 30-day ceasefire in March, which Ukraine was ready to accept. However, Moscow rejected the offer. Instead, both sides agreed to a limited pause in attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure, though both accuse each other of violating the truce. Washington continues its efforts to mediate between the two sides.
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European allies are urging the U.S. to push Russia to agree to a ceasefire and have suggested setting a clear deadline. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said that Moscow “owes an answer to the United States,” highlighting the U.S. efforts in proposing a ceasefire. British Foreign Minister David Lammy criticized Putin for delaying, saying, “He continues to bombard Ukraine, its civilian population, its energy supplies. We see you, Vladimir Putin, we know what you are doing.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock was equally critical, labeling Putin’s talk of negotiations as “empty promises” aimed at buying time. Meanwhile, officials from Canada and Estonia have called for a clear timeline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire.
Growing Pressure on Russia
A senior State Department official recently said there is no clear consensus on a timeline for increasing pressure on Russia, but there is agreement that action should come “the sooner the better.” There is a shared belief among Western nations that Russia must do more to show its commitment to peace by agreeing to a ceasefire.
European allies have become increasingly uneasy with Trump’s outreach to Moscow, questioning whether the U.S. will make concessions that could undermine European security interests. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide confirmed that there was general agreement among European ministers on the importance of maintaining “red lines” when it comes to U.S. policy on Russia.
As tensions remain high, the international community is watching closely to see if Russia will take concrete steps toward peace or continue to delay. The coming weeks will be critical in determining the future of this long-standing conflict.
Will Russia Agree to Peace with Ukraine? The U.S. Weighs Its Next Move
