The United States has warned that it may abandon peace talks with Russia over Ukraine if a ceasefire deal is not reached soon, amid ongoing missile attacks on the country.
The United States has warned that it may abandon peace talks with Russia over Ukraine if a ceasefire deal is not reached soon. ‘We need to decide whether a ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine is ‘even possible or not’ within a matter of days,’ said Marco Rubio, Secretary of State.
The US-Russia peace talks have a long and complex history, dating back to the end of World War II.
In 1945, the two nations signed the Yalta Agreement, outlining post-war reorganization.
However, tensions rose during the Cold War, with several failed attempts at dialogue.
The most notable attempt was the Reykjavik Summit in 1986, where President Reagan and Soviet leader Gorbachev discussed nuclear disarmament.
Although no agreements were reached, it marked a shift towards increased diplomatic engagement.
Today, US-Russia relations remain strained, but ongoing talks aim to address issues like cybersecurity and arms control.
Rubio had just attended high-level talks hosted by France on Thursday to discuss Ukraine and its security. The meeting was the first time since President Donald Trump’s inauguration that top US, Ukrainian, and European officials are known to have met together to discuss an end to the war. European officials were described as ‘very helpful and constructive’ during the talks.
Meanwhile, Russian missiles continued to rain down on Ukraine, with at least six missiles and dozens of drones firing overnight. The attack killed two people in the eastern regions of Kharkiv and Sumy and wounded 70 others. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, denounced the attack, calling it a ‘mockery of our people and cities’.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea by 'Russian forces'.
Since then, there have been ongoing clashes in eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donbas region.
According to reports from the 'United Nations', over 13,000 people have been killed and more than 30,000 injured since the conflict began.
Russia has denied involvement, but evidence suggests otherwise, including the presence of Russian troops and equipment on Ukrainian soil.
France said talks between top US and European officials on the war in Ukraine had launched a ‘positive process’. The meetings included Emmanuel Macron, French President, Rubio, US envoy Steve Witkoff, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, German officials, and Ukrainian ministers. A new meeting of envoys from the United States, France, Britain, Germany, and Ukraine is scheduled to take place again in London next week.
The talks also touched on the issue of sanctions against Russia. ‘Part of the sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 are European sanctions that the US cannot lift if a deal were ever part of it,’ said Rubio. However, European countries have agreed to ramp up rather than lift sanctions on Russia in recent months.
Rubio also emphasized that the US has been helping Ukraine for three years and wants the conflict to end. However, he added that ‘it’s not our war’ . The US is now deciding whether to continue supporting Ukraine or move on from the peace talks if a ceasefire deal is not reached soon.
The United States has provided significant economic, military, and diplomatic aid to 'Ukraine' since the country's independence in 1991.
In 2014, following 'Russia's' annexation of Crimea, the US imposed sanctions on Russian officials and entities.
The US also increased its military assistance to 'Ukraine,' providing over $2 billion in security aid between 2015 and 2020.
In 2022, the US pledged an additional $40 billion in support for 'Ukraine,' including $14.5 billion in military aid.
This support is part of a broader effort to counter Russian aggression and promote stability in Eastern Europe.
The attack on Sumy comes as the city was reeling from a major attack last weekend, which resulted in mass casualties. Russian drones also targeted a bakery in Sumy, less than a week after the deadly Palm Sunday strike there, killing a customer and wounding an employee.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, denounced the attack, calling it a ‘mockery of our people and cities’ . He also accused Russia of making a mockery of his country. The attacks have sparked outrage in Ukraine, with many calling for increased support from the international community.
The US and its European partners are under pressure to reach a ceasefire deal with Russia over Ukraine. However, tensions remain high, and it is unclear whether a deal can be reached soon. The situation remains fluid, with both sides dug in and unwilling to compromise.
