Washington: The United States has officially stepped back from its role as a mediator in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, citing a lack of progress and the refusal of Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire deal.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson confirmed the shift in Washington’s approach, noting that the U.S. would no longer act as a go-between in negotiations between the two nations.
“The methodology of how we contribute… in that we will not be the mediators,” the spokesperson said. “But we are not going to fly around the world at the drop of a hat to mediate meetings, that it is now between the two parties.
“Now is the time that they need to present and develop concrete ideas about how this conflict is going to end. It’s going to be up to them.”
This announcement came just one day after President Trump authorized his administration’s first arms export to Ukraine since taking office. The president notified Congress of his approval for an arms deal worth at least $50 million (£38 million), marking a significant shift in U.S. military support for Kyiv.
Strategic Deals and Shifting Priorities
The development follows closely on the heels of a major minerals agreement signed between the United States and Ukraine. While the deal still requires approval by the Ukrainian Parliament, it is considered more favorable than the version proposed earlier by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Although Washington stands to benefit from Ukraine’s natural resources under the agreement, U.S. officials have emphasized its strategic significance. Bessent said the deal would demonstrate to the Russian leadership that “there is no daylight between the Ukrainian people and the American people, between our goals.”
Also Read | Beijing Signals Willingness for Trade Talks if Trump Reverses Tariffs
Before the U.S. declared its exit from mediation efforts, Bessent had also stated that the agreement “signals clearly to Russia that the Trump administration is committed to a peace process centred on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the minerals deal as a major step forward, saying it was the “first result” of his meeting with Trump at the Vatican during the pope’s funeral. He described the agreement as “truly historic”.
While the U.S. exit from mediation duties reshapes its diplomatic stance, the broader commitment to supporting Ukraine through military aid and economic partnerships remains intact.
