U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday that the United States may soon abandon its efforts to mediate a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine if no significant progress is achieved in the coming days.

Speaking in Paris, Rubio emphasized that President Donald Trump remains open to facilitating a deal but is prepared to shift focus if negotiations fail to show immediate results.

“We’re not going to drag this out for weeks or months,” Rubio stated, reflecting growing frustration within the Trump administration.

Despite recent diplomatic efforts, including U.S.-brokered talks in Saudi Arabia that led to a partial ceasefire, the conflict has persisted.

A recent Russian missile strike in Sumy, Ukraine, which killed 35 people, underscored the ongoing violence, with Trump calling the attack a “mistake.”

The U.S. has played a central role in attempting to bring Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table, leveraging its influence over both Moscow and Kyiv.

However, Rubio warned that without clear signs of a viable settlement soon, Washington would step back, potentially jeopardling hopes for peace since no other nation can exert comparable pressure on the two parties.

A new round of talks is reportedly scheduled for London in the coming days, which could prove pivotal in determining the U.S.’s continued involvement.

On Thursday, U.S. officials engaged in high-level discussions with Ukrainian and European counterparts in Paris, described by the State Department as an “excellent exchange.”

A U.S.-proposed peace plan outline received an “encouraging reception,” though details remain undisclosed. Rubio also communicated the same framework to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to a State Department readout.

Meanwhile, a partial ceasefire agreement focused on energy infrastructure, previously brokered by the U.S., expired on Thursday.

Both sides accused each other of violating the terms, further complicating diplomatic efforts. In a related development, Kyiv announced a memorandum with the U.S. regarding a minerals deal, though this has stirred controversy amid the ongoing war.

European allies have expressed unease about the Trump administration’s apparent willingness to pivot away from the peace process and its broader foreign policy leanings.

Some fear a U.S. withdrawal could embolden Russia, while others worry about the implications of Trump’s reported interest in forging closer ties with Moscow.

As the conflict drags on, the U.S. faces mounting pressure to balance its mediation role with other global priorities.

Rubio’s remarks signal a critical juncture, with the outcome of the upcoming London talks likely to shape the future of international efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.