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Trump’s Decision on Ukraine Negotiations Expected This Week, Rubio Says

 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Sunday that the Trump administration will decide within the coming week whether to continue pushing for a negotiated settlement in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, or if it will shift its focus to other pressing matters. Speaking on NBC’s "Meet the Press," Rubio described the upcoming days as "very important," noting,

 

"We have to make a determination about whether this is an endeavor that we want to continue to be involved in or if it’s time to sort of focus on some other issues that are equally if not more important in some cases."

Rubio on Ukraine: "We cannot continue to dedicate time and resources to this effort if it's not going to come to fruition...This week is going to be a very important week...to make a determination about whether this is an endeavor that we want to continue to be involved in." pic.twitter.com/OHIDTPwBxf

— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) April 27, 2025

 

Rubio emphasized the potential for progress but tempered optimism with caution. "But we want to see it happen," he said. "There are reasons to be optimistic, but there are reasons to be realistic of course as well. We’re close, but we’re not close enough." He did not provide specific updates on the status of negotiations or reveal what exactly might sway the administration’s final decision.

 

 

It remains unclear whether Rubio’s remarks were intended to pressure Ukraine and Russia into initiating direct peace talks or whether President Trump and his advisers are seriously contemplating abandoning the negotiations altogether. Meanwhile, Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, offered no strong indication that a breakthrough was imminent. Appearing on CBS News’s "Face the Nation," Lavrov stated, "We are ready to reach a deal," but acknowledged, "There are still some specific points — elements of this deal which need to be fine-tuned."

 

Tensions were heightened last Thursday when Russia unleashed a wave of missile and drone attacks on Kyiv, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 people. The strikes drew unusually strong condemnation from President Trump. Despite this, Lavrov revealed during his CBS interview, recorded the same day as the attacks, that Russia had yet to agree to a U.S. proposal for a 30-day full cease-fire, an idea the Ukrainians have already endorsed.

 

Rubio’s comments came just a day after an unexpected meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Vatican, where both leaders were attending Pope Francis’s funeral. Photos posted by aides showed Trump and Zelensky engaged in conversation inside St. Peter’s Basilica. It marked their first face-to-face meeting since a heated Oval Office encounter in February, during which Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly criticized Zelensky for what they perceived as a lack of appreciation toward the United States.

 

The negotiations have been complicated by several contentious points. Among them is the Trump administration’s demand that the United States recognize Crimea as Russian territory, and its apparent willingness to accept Russia’s ongoing occupation of significant areas of eastern Ukraine, seized since 2014. Trump has also signaled he would block Ukraine’s membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization during his tenure.

 

After his meeting with Trump on Saturday, Zelensky expressed cautious optimism. In a social media post, he described their conversation as a "very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results." White House spokesman Steven Cheung echoed this sentiment, calling the discussion "very productive."

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from New York Times  2025-04-29

 

 

What is really being said here is that Trump is going to decide whether or not he's going to throw Ukraine under the bus and side with his pal Vlad, or whether or not he's going to show some dignity and reliability by supporting Ukraine and standing up to a serial killing despot dictator. 

 

I bet on the former, the Lads spurning of Trump and him having shown his true colors lately does actually seem to be pissing Trump off, which is amazing. Is it possible that Trump could actually do the right thing for a change? 

Sergey Lavrov on Trump comments about potential deal on Ukraine-Russia war

 

 

All I remember is someone saying "promises made, promises kept."

However I doubt the principle of negotiation is to give away your assets to appease an invader. 

Sudetenland for instance.

4 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

What is really being said here is that Trump is going to decide whether or not he's going to throw Ukraine under the bus and side with his pal Vlad, or whether or not he's going to show some dignity and reliability by supporting Ukraine and standing up to a serial killing despot dictator. 

 

I bet on the former, the Lads spurning of Trump and him having shown his true colors lately does actually seem to be pissing Trump off, which is amazing. Is it possible that Trump could actually do the right thing for a change? 

 

I certainly agree that trump is all over the place at the moment. I do wonder if trump realises that Russia taking all of Ukraine is a very bad move for Europe. As said trump is everywhere in his statements and I wonder how logical his thoughts are.

 

I've read in other reports that Zelensky is correct when he says he has no absolutely no authority to 'give' Ukraine or Crimea to Putin.

 

Seems to me that trump doesn't buy that line, I guess because trump believes he can override US law / any law / any country. 

10 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

What is really being said here is that Trump is going to decide whether or not he's going to throw Ukraine under the bus and side with his pal Vlad, or whether or not he's going to show some dignity and reliability by supporting Ukraine and standing up to a serial killing despot dictator. 

 

I bet on the former, the Lads spurning of Trump and him having shown his true colors lately does actually seem to be pissing Trump off, which is amazing. Is it possible that Trump could actually do the right thing for a change? 

 

10 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

What is really being said here is that Trump is going to decide whether or not he's going to throw Ukraine under the bus and side with his pal Vlad, or whether or not he's going to show some dignity and reliability by supporting Ukraine and standing up to a serial killing despot dictator. 

 

I bet on the former, the Lads spurning of Trump and him having shown his true colors lately does actually seem to be pissing Trump off, which is amazing. Is it possible that Trump could actually do the right thing for a change? 

I agree with you about what this clown in the White House decides and I do not see why any decision about Ukraine is down to him. I don't think he knows or understands the words dignity and reliability. It's about time that the EU and UK along with Ukraine should be taking on these negotiations and tell the Orange Turd what he can do with his terms.

7 hours ago, dantho said:

 

I agree with you about what this clown in the White House decides and I do not see why any decision about Ukraine is down to him. I don't think he knows or understands the words dignity and reliability. It's about time that the EU and UK along with Ukraine should be taking on these negotiations and tell the Orange Turd what he can do with his terms.

Quote: "...I agree with you about what this clown in the White House decides and I do not see why any decision about Ukraine is down to him. "

 

I wish someone with credibility would strongly tell trump he's out of his territory; he has no right in any way to tell Salensky or Ukraine what they have to do.

 

If this were another country many leaders would be giving trump clear indication 'absolutely not your call'.

20 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

What is really being said here is that Trump is going to decide whether or not he's going to throw Ukraine under the bus and side with his pal Vlad, or whether or not he's going to show some dignity and reliability by supporting Ukraine and standing up to a serial killing despot dictator. 

 

I bet on the former, the Lads spurning of Trump and him having shown his true colors lately does actually seem to be pissing Trump off, which is amazing. Is it possible that Trump could actually do the right thing for a change? 

Oh I think he’s well and truly thrown the Ukrainian nation under the bus allready he’s done every simpering groveling move he can to curry his idols acceptance.Im just waiting for him to pull us out of nato and tell what remains of nato that he won’t let the American weapons industry support nato owned systems.hope I’m wrong but it wouldn’t surprise me one bit.

2 hours ago, scorecard said:

Quote: "...I agree with you about what this clown in the White House decides and I do not see why any decision about Ukraine is down to him. "

 

I wish someone with credibility would strongly tell trump he's out of his territory; he has no right in any way to tell Salensky or Ukraine what they have to do.

 

If this were another country many leaders would be giving trump clear indication 'absolutely not your call'.

 

Look at it this way ..    President Trump .   should  "Full Hard Stop" any and all ... monetary, weapons  and any other type of aid to Ukraine

 ..and .  put Zelensky's phone #  on his do not disturb list