Marco Rubio, the US’s secretary of state, has said the Trump administration could abandon its Ukraine war peace efforts within days unless there’s progress. Meanwhile, a minerals deal between the US and Ukraine looks set to be made official next week. Follow the latest below.
Friday 18 April 2025 10:25, UK
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Each week, Sky’s military analyst Professor Michael Clarke answers questions from readers on the war in Ukraine.
This week, he looked at Donald Trump’s position when it comes to Russia – and how two particular issues may be influencing his stance there.
Clarke also explained why Russia can’t have all of Ukraine and what will happen when the time comes for someone to succeed Putin.
Watch the full Q&A here…
And if you have questions of your own, click this link and submit them at the top of the page for next week’s Q&A.
By Ivor Bennett, Moscow correspondent
Marco Rubio’s comments are the strongest indication yet of Washington’s apparent growing frustration at the lack of progress in peace talks.
It’s been two months since Donald Trump initiated negotiations, with a call to Vladimir Putin, in the hope of bringing the conflict to a swift conclusion.
Since then, his team has sat down with both sides on multiple occasions, at multiple levels, in multiple locations.
But what have they actually got to show for it?
There was a much-touted 30-day ceasefire covering strikes on energy infrastructure, but it never formally began.
And with both sides continuing to accuse the other of violating it, 30 days have now passed and the agreement seems to have disappeared without a trace.
Then there was supposed to be a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea.
But again, that still hasn’t actually materialised, because Russia says it will only take part if certain sanctions are lifted first.
Watch: Trump ‚p***ed off‘ with Putin
It’s highly doubtful Donald Trump really believed he could end the war within 24 hours of taking office (as he promised several times), but I think he did seriously believe he could secure at least a cessation of hostilities relatively quickly, giving him an early win in his presidency.
There had been suggestions of an April/May deadline, or even an Easter ceasefire, but that now looks like pie in the sky.
So is the threat to „move on“ from the talks genuine?
Or another famous negotiating tactic from the so-called master of the deal?
Trump’s approach has been heavily criticised for not being tough enough on Vladimir Putin.
It’s been all carrot for Moscow but only stick for Kyiv – and this latest intervention feels like it’s more of the same.
Because, as things stand, Ukraine still has a lot more to lose than Russia, if the war drags on.
These images show members of Ukraine’s 115th Separate Mechanised Brigade defending the skies above the contested Donetsk region earlier this week.
The defences are mobile, meaning the group can be moved across the line as needed, with Russia’s relentless drone attacks continuing.
French officials say that further talks between the US and Europe are expected in London within days, following a marathon session in Paris yesterday.
Marco Rubio and Donald Trump’s peace envoy Steve Witkoff were involved in talks with French and British foreign ministers in the French capital, with discussions said to be positive.
French officials say a new meeting in London will have the same format, and Rubio has said he could join that meeting – which is expected early next week.
A short time ago, we brought you the comments of US secretary of state Marco Rubio, who said Washington was prepared to walk away from brokering peace between Ukraine and Russia (see 8.12 post).
Watch a short clip showing what Rubio said in this video…
China’s foreign ministry has denied what it called „groundless“ claims from Volodymyr Zelenskyy who said yesterday that Beijing is supplying Moscow with weapons.
China has never made lethal weapons available to either side during this war, spokesman Lin Jian said this morning.
For context: Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday claimed Ukraine has uncovered evidence of China supplying Russia with artillery.
Speaking at a news conference, Ukraine’s president also claimed that Beijing is helping with weapons production on Russian territory.
„We believe that Chinese representatives are engaged in the production of some weapons on the territory of Russia,“ he said.
It comes after Ukraine said it captured two Chinese nationals fighting for Russia.
Some alarming rhetoric coming from the US secretary of state this morning, following his meeting with European partners in Paris yesterday.
Marco Rubio said just moments ago from the French capital that the US will walk away from its efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine unless there are clear signs of progress in the coming days.
„We need to figure out here now, within a matter of days, whether this [peace deal] is doable in the short term, because if it’s not, then I think we’re just going to move on,“ he said.
„We’re not going to continue with this endeavour for weeks and months on end,“ he added.
Rubio said Donald Trump is still interested in pursuing peace, but that the US has many other priorities around the world.
„We need to determine very quickly now – and I’m talking about a matter of days – whether or not this is doable in the next few weeks. If it is, we’re in. If it’s not, then we have other priorities to focus on as well.“
Trump said yesterday he felt a ceasefire was „close“, and that Moscow was set to get back to him regarding a recent proposal imminently.
Donald Trump, during a meeting with Giorgia Meloni at the White House yesterday, made a couple of key comments regarding the war in Ukraine.
He firstly said he expected to hear back from Moscow regarding a ceasefire proposal.
„We’re going to be hearing from them this week, very shortly, actually,“ he said, without providing further details.
He was also pressed on comments he made blaming Volodymyr Zelenskyy for starting the war.
„I don’t hold Zelenskyy responsible, but I’m not exactly thrilled with the fact that war started,“ he said yesterday.
„And, so I’m not happy with him, and I’m not happy with anybody involved, “ he added.
„I’m not blaming him, but what I am saying is that I wouldn’t say he’s done the greatest job. Okay? I’m not a big fan.“
At least one person has died and nearly 60 are injured after a Russian missile strike on a major Ukrainian city in the early hours of this morning, according to local officials.
Ihor Terekhov, the mayor of Kharkiv – Ukraine’s second biggest city – said the attack damaged 15 apartment buildings.
At least five children are among the 57 injured.
Elsewhere this morning, a drone attack on Sumy – another northeastern city – also killed one person and injured another at a factory baking Easter cakes.
Ukraine and the US have signed a memorandum of intent on a mineral and rare earths deal between the two countries, according to Ukraine’s minister for the economy.
Donald Trump said yesterday he expects the deal to be signed next week, while Volodymyr Zelenskyy said an agreement was close.
Trump has pushed for a deal that would allow the US to share in profits of Ukraine’s natural resources and critical minerals.
This is what he casts as repayment for military aid provided by Washington to Ukraine under the previous administration of Joe Biden.
The deal previously looked close but spectacularly collapsed after a disastrous meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House.
Zelenskyy previously accused the US of „constantly“ changing the terms of the proposed deal, but he added he did not want Washington to think Kyiv was against it.
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Zelenskyy: Ukraine has evidence of China supplying Russia with artillery – Sky News
