Trump Claims Ukraine-Russia Talks Reaching Tipping Point and Insists He’s Not Being Outmaneuvered in Bid to Stop War
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 unproductive months of dialogue.
President Donald Trump attends the swearing-in ceremony of Dr. Mehmet Oz as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the White House Oval Office on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump attends the swearing-in ceremony of Dr. Mehmet Oz as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in the White House Oval Office on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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“If one party becomes too obstinate, we’ll have to call it what it is — foolishness,” Trump said. “That kind of behavior won’t be tolerated. We'd ideally avoid walking away, but we must be prepared.”
Rubio's tough stance followed progress made during peace discussions in Paris among U.S., Ukrainian, and European representatives. While talks marked a constructive step, a pivotal session in London next week may determine whether Washington continues its involvement.
“We’re approaching a point where we must decide whether this dialogue is viable,” Rubio said at a news briefing in Paris. “If not, we may need to refocus our efforts elsewhere. It’s not our war, and we have our own challenges.”
He emphasized the administration’s intent to make that judgement “within days.”
The State Department reported that Rubio issued the same message during a phone call Friday with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, warning that unless a clear direction for peace emerges, the U.S. would step away.
Trump agreed with Rubio’s assessment that shifts in negotiations are vital, though he avoided declaring a definitive U.S. exit.
“Well, I’m not going to put it that way,” the president said. “But we certainly want to see an end to this.”
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, center, and Germany’s Foreign Ministry Political Director Gunter Sautter, right, participate in Ukraine security talks in Paris on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Julien de Rosa, Pool via AP)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, center, and Germany’s Foreign Ministry Political Director Gunter Sautter, right, participate in Ukraine security talks in Paris on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Julien de Rosa, Pool via AP)
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Rubio’s stance amplifies pressure for a peace settlement while also signaling impatience, even while progress was made on a resources agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. aimed at offsetting America’s substantial defense contributions since Russia's 2022 invasion.
Despite Trump’s campaign claims that he could end the war swiftly, observers continue to anticipate long and complex negotiations. Trump later admitted his earlier statements might have been exaggerated.
Following the Paris talks, American policy-makers are reportedly considering both incentive-based and coercive approaches toward Russia, urging guarantees from both sides. A French official involved in the talks, who spoke anonymously, said sanctions were discussed, though their easing wasn’t on the table. Europe seeks to leverage all tools to push the Russians toward commitment.
In visuals shared by the Russian Ministry of Defense on Friday, April 18, 2025, a Russian BM-21 "Grad" multiple rocket launcher is seen firing at Ukrainian positions. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
In visuals shared by the Russian Ministry of Defense on Friday, April 18, 2025, a Russian BM-21 "Grad" multiple rocket launcher is seen firing at Ukrainian positions. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
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Speaking from Rome, Vice President JD Vance presented a more optimistic view ahead of his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
“We have promising updates — details will remain confidential for now,” Vance stated. “We’re hopeful this devastating war can reach its end.”
He declined to elaborate further.
Progress on critical minerals partnership
The U.S. and Ukraine appear close to finalizing a long-awaited agreement that would enable American firms to tap into Ukraine’s mineral sector — a key part of Trump’s broader diplomatic endeavors. Trump noted Thursday: “We’ve agreed on minerals.” Ukraine’s economy minister confirmed that a memorandum of understanding had been signed in anticipation of a full deal.
Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko announced she co-signed the agreement alongside U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, which is expected to unlock major investment opportunities and infrastructure initiatives.
The deal's advancement had been stalled since February after a tense Oval Office session with Trump, Vice President Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
A woman surveys the damage inside her Kharkiv apartment after a Russian strike on Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrii Marienko)
A woman surveys the damage inside her Kharkiv apartment after a Russian strike on Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrii Marienko)
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Russia expresses willingness to talk
Despite signs of frustration over slow peace progress, Rubio described Thursday's Paris meetings as productive. He informed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of preliminary proposals but declined to reveal Moscow’s response.
Asked about those developments Friday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov cited “difficult yet continued” negotiations with American officials, providing no further details.
“Russia seeks a resolution that protects our interests and remains open to dialogue,” Peskov asserted.
He acknowledged a 30-day truce, previously backed by Washington and tentatively accepted by both sides, had expired. He offered no insight into Russia’s next move.
Following separate U.S.-mediated talks in Saudi Arabia, diverging interpretations of ceasefire terms and timing led to mutual accusations of breakage almost immediately.
Rubio noted that after earlier tension, European allies played a key role in recent discussions. “France, Germany, and the United Kingdom really helped advance the dialogue,” he said.
An unexploded rocket lies amid the ruins of a cosmetics factory in Kharkiv, Ukraine, following a Russian strike Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrii Marienko)
An unexploded rocket lies amid the ruins of a cosmetics factory in Kharkiv, Ukraine, following a Russian strike Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrii Marienko)
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Within Europe, skepticism remains regarding Trump’s perceived openness to closer U.S.-Russia ties. The Paris meetings were the first since Trump’s return to power that brought together top Western and Ukrainian officials to confront Europe’s most dire security crisis since World War II.
Talks also covered possible future security arrangements for Ukraine, though Rubio declined to comment on a potential American role. Still, ongoing U.S. support is widely viewed as essential to ensuring any future peace with Russia is lasting.
Rubio, alongside special envoy Steve Witkoff, has led American peace efforts. Witkoff has held multiple direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and several negotiation rounds have occurred in Saudi Arabia.
Moscow has remained unwilling to accept a wide-ranging ceasefire proposed by Trump and backed by Ukraine, insisting it would only agree if Ukraine halted military mobilization and received no Western arms — conditions Kyiv rejects.
Asked if Putin is delaying the process, Trump responded, “I certainly hope not. We’ll find out soon enough.”
A woman peers out the window of her Kharkiv home damaged by a Russian strike on Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrii Marienko)
A woman peers out the window of her Kharkiv home damaged by a Russian strike on Friday, April 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Andrii Marienko)
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Thomas Wright, a former senior advisor to the National Security Council during the Biden administration, said Trump's diplomatic style seemed tilted heavily against Ukraine, suggesting a desire to bypass the conflict and realign with Moscow.
“Pulling back U.S. support would benefit Russia but won’t stop the war,” said Wright, now at the Brookings Institution. “Ending this conflict requires putting more pressure on Putin, and that means reinforced military and diplomatic backing for Ukraine.”
Russia continues attacks on civilians
Amid the fragile diplomacy, Russian forces kept launching deadly attacks on Ukrainian cities. This comes just days after a missile barrage claimed dozens of lives in Sumy during Palm Sunday observances.
On Friday, one person was killed and 98 others hurt — including six children — from a Russian bombardment in Kharkiv, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov, who said cluster bombs repeatedly hit a residential neighborhood.
Russian drones also struck a bakery in Sumy, where a customer was killed and a worker injured, the local prosecutor’s office reported. The office released photos showing Easter cakes layered in dust amid collapsed walls and debris.
The Sumy strike was the second deadly attack in April, following an April 4 missile strike in Kryvyi Rih — President Zelenskyy’s hometown — which killed 20 people, including nine children.
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Reported by Arhirova in Kyiv. Contributions from Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Joanna Kozlowska in London, Nicole Winfield in Rome, and Ellen Knickmeyer and Aamer Madhani in Washington.
