WASHINGTON, United States (US): US President, Donald J. Trump, on Thursday warned that Washington could walk away from efforts to broker peace in Ukraine unless Moscow and Kyiv make swift progress.
“If one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we’re just going to take a pass,” Trump told reporters, adding that a decision could come “very shortly”.
His comments followed US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio’s remarks in Paris, where he said the US might “move on” if a ceasefire is not attainable soon.
Rubio and French President, Emmanuel Macron, had hosted talks with European counterparts earlier that day.
Trump, who promised to end the war within 24 hours of taking office, has struggled to gain traction.
A temporary Kremlin pledge not to strike Ukrainian energy infrastructure expired Friday, with Russia continuing attacks that killed at least two and wounded dozens in Kharkiv and Sumy.
US Vice-President, JD Vance, remained upbeat, saying he was “optimistic” about ending the three-year war despite tensions within the administration.
Trump and Vance had previously clashed with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, in the Oval Office, accusing him of inflaming the conflict.
Trump denied being manipulated by Moscow.
“I know when people are playing us, and when they’re not,” he said.
Zelensky, condemning the latest missile and drone strikes ahead of Easter, said Russia had turned Good Friday into a “mockery”.
Kyiv also announced the return of 909 soldiers’ bodies from Russia.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is expected to sign a deal next week granting the US access to its mineral resources, further widening the diplomatic divide between Washington and Europe. – AFP
