'Trump won't fall into trap:' Rubio warns Putin over lack of progress in Ukraine talks

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Friday (April 4) warned that President Donald Trump won’t be “drawn into the trap of endless negotiations” with Moscow over ending the war in Ukraine. While speaking in Brussels after meeting with Nato allies, Rubio said it would soon become clear whether Russia was serious about peace.

“President Trump is not going to fall into the trap of endless negotiations about negotiations,” Rubio was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. “We will know soon enough — in a matter of weeks, not months — whether Russia is serious about peace or not.”

American allies in Europe have constantly pressed Trump to take a hard stance against Russia, even as the US administration engages in intensive talks with Moscow to bring an end to the three-year-old conflict. A ceasefire regarding energy infrastructure was reached between Russia and Ukraine last month but allegations of violations continue to flow from both sides.

Trump ‘frustrated’

Since assuming office, Trump has prioritised talks with Russia, reportedly forcing Ukraine to concede territorial concessions and dragging Kyiv to the negotiating table even as Russia continues to pound Ukrainian cities.

However, Trump has reportedly voiced frustration with Russian officials too, citing lack of progress.

Last month, Russian leader Vladimir Putin rejected a US-Ukrainian proposal for a full, unconditional ceasefire and tied any truce in the Black Sea to Western sanctions relief.

Rubio on Friday said Ukraine had shown “willingness” to agree to a full ceasefire and further negotiations.

“The Russians and Putin will have to make a decision about whether they’re serious about peace or not,” Rubio said. “If it’s a delay tactic, the president’s not interested in that.”

Last week, Trump in an interview with NBC said he was “very angry, pissed off” with Putin over lack of progress in peace talks.

Trump further warned he will impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil if they are unable to make a deal.

Trump said that “if Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault” then he would impose “secondary tariffs on all oil coming out of Russia.”

Putin’s proposal

Putin last week proposed to temporarily put Ukraine under external governance as part of efforts to reach a peaceful settlement, in remarks that reflected the Kremlin leader’s determination to achieve his war goals.

In televised remarks broadcast early Friday, Putin reaffirmed his claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose term expired last year, lacks the legitimacy to sign a peace deal. Under Ukraine’s constitution, it is illegal for the country to hold national elections while it’s under martial law.

Putin claimed that any agreement that is signed with the current Ukrainian government could be challenged by its successors and said new elections could be held under external governance.

(With inputs from agencies)