PARIS (AP) — On Friday, President Donald Trump stated that diplomacy between Russia and Ukraine is reaching a critical juncture, emphasizing that both nations are engaging sincerely and rejecting suggestions that he’s being manipulated as he pushes for a resolution to the prolonged conflict. Trump’s remarks followed a caution from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who indicated the United States might soon drop its efforts to facilitate peace if there’s no concrete advancement, following several