‘Will take a pass’: Trump warns of halting Ukraine peace talks ‘if parties make it difficult’ | World News
US President Donald Trump on Friday signalled that Washington could step back from its role in brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine ‘if parties make it difficult’.
“We’re going to get it done ideally. If for some reason one of the two parties makes it very difficult … we’re going to just take a pass. Hopefully we won’t have to do that,” Trump told reporters during the swearing-in ceremony of Mehmet Oz as head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Despite the warning, Trump said that he wasn’t walking away from negotiations just yet. “It’s coming to a head right now,” he said, adding that he still sees “a good chance” to resolve the conflict.
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He also pointed to his experience with complex negotiations and his ability to judge intent. “My whole life has been one big negotiation,” he said.
Asked if Russian President Vladimir Putin was dragging his feet on negotiations, Trump replied, “I hope not. Nobody’s playing me.”
Trump also suggested he sees signs of willingness from both sides to pursue peace. “I think I see that enthusiasm. I think I see it from both sides,” he added.
This comes after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier in the day, announced the country may “move on” from efforts to secure a Russia-Ukraine peace deal if no progress is made in the coming days, citing months of stalled negotiations and limited results.Story continues below this ad
Speaking in Paris after a new round of landmark talks between US, Ukrainian and European officials, Rubio said the next meeting—expected in London next week—could determine whether the Trump adminration continues its involvement in the process.
“We are now reaching a point where we need to decide whether this is even possible or not,” Rubio told reporters. “Because if it’s not, then I think we’re just going to move on.”
“It’s not our war,” he added. “We have other priorities to focus on.” Rubio noted the adminration hopes to make a decision “in a matter of days.”
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