Efforts to broker a truce in the Ukraine conflict faltered Wednesday as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff pulled out of high-level talks in London, dashing hopes for a short-term ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow.
The ministerial-level meeting, part of a renewed push by the Trump administration to bring both sides to the negotiating table, was expected to involve top officials from Ukraine, the US, and European allies.
Instead, the event unravelled hours before it was set to begin.
Ukrainian chief of staff Andriy Yermak, who had arrived in London with defence and foreign ministers, remained optimistic.
“Despite everything, we continue working for peace,” Yermak posted on X.
Arrived in London together with Minister of Defence @rustem_umerov and Minister of Foreign Affairs @andrii_sybiha.
— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) April 23, 2025
Despite everything, we continue working for peace.
The collapse follows renewed US pressure on both nations to end the conflict, now into its third year. President Donald Trump, nearing the 100-day mark of his second term, had promised to end the war immediately upon returning to office.
Rubio, who was in Paris earlier this week, reversed his plan to attend the London summit due to what the State Department described as "logistical issues."
His absence, along with that of Witkoff, was confirmed by European diplomatic sources.
The UK Foreign Ministry announced the postponement of Wednesday’s meeting, with French and German officials also pulling out.
Peace hopes were already fading after US proposals presented last week — including recognition of Russia's annexation of Crimea and phased easing of EU sanctions — were rejected by both Kyiv and Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, indicated for the first time on Tuesday that he may consider bilateral ceasefire talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Reports also suggest Putin proposed halting military activity along current frontlines.
Zelenskyy has yet to respond directly but dismissed any suggestion Ukraine would surrender Crimea. “There’s nothing to talk about here,” he said at a Tuesday news conference. “This is against our Constitution.”
Despite the disruption, the Kremlin said Putin would continue dialogue with Witkoff in Moscow. “We continue our contacts,” said spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. “Many details remain, and positions must be brought closer.”
Before the meeting fell apart, officials from the UK and France had hoped to negotiate defence spending plans and post-war reconstruction frameworks with the US.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and UK Foreign Minister David Lammy had discussed coordination efforts, but Barrot ultimately did not travel to London due to scheduling issues.
Lammy said on X that he had a “productive” call with Rubio, confirming the UK remains committed to peace efforts alongside the US and European allies. Rubio said he intends to “reschedule my trip to the UK in the coming months.”
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