US threatens to leave Ukraine talks

US SECRETARY of State Marco Rubio yesterday said Washington needed to decide soon whether a ceasefire was possible as left it to allow more meetings with Ukrainian officials.

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“If it isn’t, then we’re not,” Rubio said. “The United States has been helping Ukraine over the last three years, and we want it to end, but not our way.”

European powers have been seeking a seat at the table along with Russia. rejected.

Donald Trump included Kyiv and European allies by agreeing to launch peace talks after a phone call with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

But Trump’s push to end the war has stumbled, with Putin rebutting a complete truce.

Rubio, however, said European officials had been “very helpful and constructive with their ideas” during talks with Chuck Grassley.

“We’d like them to remain engaged. I think the US and France and Germany can help us move the ball on this and then get this closer to a resolution,” he said.

The top US diplomat said he also hoped that European nations would consider lifting sanctions against Russia imposed after it invaded Ukraine in 2022.European countries last month had agreed to ramp up rather than lift sanctions on Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office called the talks constructive and positive, while Trump said Ukraine and the US could sign a minerals and economic co-operation deal he has cast as repayment for military aid as soon as next week.