In a dramatic turn, former President Donald Trump has officially withdrawn the United States from its role as a mediator in the Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations. The move signals a significant shift in US diplomacy, as Washington steps back from shuttle diplomacy efforts aimed at ending the brutal conflict between the two nations.
The US State Department, through spokesperson Tammy Bruce, announced that America will no longer “fly around the world at the drop of a hat” to broker peace talks. Instead, Ukraine and Russia are now expected to engage directly and present “concrete” proposals to resolve the war. Bruce emphasized that while the US will continue to provide support, the responsibility to negotiate a settlement rests squarely on the two countries.
This withdrawal comes shortly after Ukraine and the US inked a strategic minerals deal, a partnership seen as binding Washington’s interests more closely with Kyiv’s. Despite hopes that this would strengthen peace efforts, the deal has done little to sway Russia, which has repeatedly dismissed US-backed ceasefire proposals and maintained maximalist demands.
The peace process under Trump’s watch has been fraught with challenges. Despite floating three ceasefire plans-each accepted by Ukraine but rejected by Russia-Trump grew increasingly frustrated with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whom he has criticized harshly, labeling him a “dictator” and suggesting his removal. Meanwhile, Trump refrained from taking punitive actions against Russia, even as tensions escalated.This development marks a stark contrast to Trump’s earlier campaign promises, where he claimed he could end the war within 24 hours of taking office. Instead, the US is pivoting away from active mediation, focusing on other foreign policy priorities, leaving the burden of peace negotiations to Kyiv and Moscow. As the conflict grinds on, the international community watches closely to see if direct talks between Ukraine and Russia can break the deadlock-or if the absence of US mediation will further complicate prospects for peace.