Trump Suggests US May Step Back From Ukraine Peace Talks If Negotiations Stall

On April 18, US President Donald Trump commented on the prospects of a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine during a press event at the swearing-in ceremony of Mehmet Oz as head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

According to The Guardian, Trump stated that while he remains optimistic about the possibility of reaching a resolution, the US may refrain from involvement if the negotiating sides prove uncooperative.

“We’re going to get it done ideally,” Trump said. “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 expressed hope, saying he believed there was a “good chance” to resolve the Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The Guardian reports that the remarks reflect a cautious but engaged stance, as Trump positions himself on the issue amid his ongoing public appearances and political campaigning.

According to Reuters, speaking in Paris on April 18, following meetings with European and Ukrainian officials, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that President Donald Trump remains open to a negotiated settlement but emphasized that Washington is prepared to shift focus if meaningful progress is not made soon.

Rubio underscored that the administration is weighing the viability of continuing diplomatic engagement. “If our efforts to stop the war in Ukraine fail in the coming days, we will inform President Trump that negotiations are no longer a realistic option,” Rubio stated.

On the same day, Russian Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that “certain progress” has been made in discussions aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine, linking the development to what he described as a temporary “moratorium” on strikes against energy infrastructure.