U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a striking statement, emphasizing that if diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine ultimately reach a dead end, Washington will be forced to shift its foreign policy priorities and “move on.”
“If ending the war in Ukraine is impossible, then we need to move on… We have to determine very quickly—within a matter of days—whether this is even realistically achievable,” Rubio told reporters, commenting on the outcome of his trip to Paris. His remarks came shortly after meetings with European and Ukrainian allies, as well as a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Peace or the End of Diplomacy?
According to Rubio, he and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff traveled to Paris to “begin discussing more specific aspects” of what might be required to bring the war to an end. “If it turns out that the sides are so far apart that a peaceful settlement under current conditions is out of reach, then I believe the president is likely at the point where he’ll say: we’ve done everything we could,” the Secretary of State added.
As noted in an official statement from the U.S. State Department, a peace proposal drafted by the United States was shared with key allies and received an “encouraging reception.” While the details of the plan were not disclosed, the same version was reportedly submitted to Moscow and personally relayed to Lavrov.
“This Is Not Our War”: U.S. Defines the Limits of Its Involvement
Rubio stressed that the war in Ukraine is not an American war. “We didn’t start this war. For the past three years, the United States has supported Ukraine, and we still want the conflict to end. But this is not our war,” he underscored.
The Secretary’s remarks mark a shift in the tone of U.S. diplomacy—from unequivocal support for Ukraine toward a more pragmatic and limited approach. This is particularly notable in the context of President Donald Trump’s efforts, which, according to Rubio, included “87 days at the highest levels of government working tirelessly to bring this war to an end.”
A New Phase in U.S. Strategy?
Rubio’s statement signals that the Trump administration may be approaching a reassessment of its stance on the Ukraine crisis. The U.S. still seeks a diplomatic resolution, but it is increasingly ready to acknowledge the possibility that peace may be unattainable—and to shift focus accordingly.
At the same time, Washington clearly wishes to retain its role as a mediator, at least for now. This is evident in its effort to involve both Kyiv and Moscow in direct discussions around the proposed peace plan.
Nevertheless, Rubio’s warning about the need to “move on” effectively signals the end of America’s activist approach to the conflict. It also marks the beginning of a new phase, in which the U.S. may begin to treat the war in Ukraine as an external issue—serious, but no longer vital to its own core interests.
Source: Official statements by Marco Rubio and U.S. State Department briefings.
