Donald Trump has warned that the United States may abandon its efforts to broker a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia unless progress is made “very shortly,” signaling growing impatience from the White House as Kyiv simultaneously announced a memorandum on a contentious minerals partnership with Washington. Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “Now if for some reason one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we’re just going to say: ‘You’re foolish. You’re fools. You’re horrible people’ – and we’re going to just take a pass.” While he declined to set a precise deadline, Trump emphasized urgency, saying, “Quickly. We want to get it done.”
The president’s comments follow remarks from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said the administration is prepared to walk away from peace negotiations “within days.” During meetings with European and Ukrainian leaders in Paris, Rubio stated that Trump remains interested in a deal but has other global priorities and may “move on” if talks remain stalled. “It is not our war. We didn’t start it,” Rubio said, indicating that Trump is nearing the point of withdrawal if significant diplomatic movement doesn’t occur. This shift raises questions about future US military support for Ukraine, especially as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently admitted that weapons deliveries have “practically stopped.”
Trump, who has refused to criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin or impose new sanctions on Moscow, has instead accused Zelenskyy and former President Joe Biden of being responsible for “starting” the war. Since returning to office in January, Trump has suspended most military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Meanwhile, US special envoy Steve Witkoff, who held talks with Putin last week in St Petersburg, has echoed Russian positions during diplomatic exchanges, further intensifying scrutiny of the administration’s stance.
Amid the uncertain peace process, Kyiv has moved forward with an economic agreement with the US. Ukraine’s first deputy prime minister, Yuliia Svyrydenko, confirmed the signing of a memorandum with American counterparts, setting the groundwork for a reconstruction investment fund. President Trump announced a potential signing date for next Thursday, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the agreement’s draft is largely final and spans 80 pages. The document acknowledges the significant financial and material support Ukraine has received since the 2022 Russian invasion and lays the foundation for a longer-term partnership. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is expected to travel to Washington next week for final technical talks.
However, the deal has sparked concerns. It remains unclear whether Ukraine has agreed to repay the cost of past US military support—something Zelenskyy has resisted, noting that the aid was provided as grants, not loans, and had bipartisan approval in Congress. Trump has previously claimed Ukraine owes the US $300 billion. Economists warn that retroactively converting aid into debt could undermine global financial trust in future assistance. Volodymyr Landa of the Centre for Economic Strategy in Kyiv noted the deal has undergone numerous revisions and cautioned against attempts to reframe non-refundable aid as repayable, stating it would set a dangerous precedent.
The agreement is also viewed as a strategic move by the US to reduce reliance on Chinese rare-earth minerals, which are vital for defense manufacturing. With China limiting exports amid an escalating trade war with Trump, Ukraine’s mineral resources have become a key bargaining chip. Despite this, many details remain under wraps, and Ukraine’s parliament will need to ratify the final agreement.
As these diplomatic and economic developments unfold, violence in Ukraine continues. Russia has intensified military operations across the 600-mile frontline, launching air assaults on civilian targets. On Good Friday, a Russian ballistic missile strike in Kharkiv killed one and injured around 70, including five children. Additional attacks hit Dnipro, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, and the Donetsk region. Earlier this week, a bombing in Sumy killed 35 and injured 117. “This is how Russia began this Good Friday – with ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, Shaheds – maiming our people and cities,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media. Kharkiv’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov, confirmed the use of cluster munitions, which devastated residential and educational infrastructure.
While US Vice-President JD Vance, speaking in Rome, expressed hope that the “very brutal war” could still be stopped, the Trump administration’s wavering stance and its push for economic concessions from Kyiv suggest a growing willingness to prioritize strategic interests over long-term support. The coming days will determine whether Washington will stay the course on peace talks or, as Trump warned, “just take a pass.”
