Vance warns of US exit from Ukraine-Russia peace process as London talks postponed

The United States may soon withdraw from its role as a mediator in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations if it does not receive a positive response from both parties.

Vice President JD Vance made this warning in a statement shared via his social media platform, X.

“We will withdraw from mediating between Russia and Ukraine if we do not receive a positive response. We have presented a clear and fair proposal to both the Russians and Ukrainians,” Vance wrote, signaling the U.S. government’s growing frustration with the stalled peace process.

While Vance’s statement emphasized the importance of a timely and favorable response, the U.S. government has yet to disclose the specifics of the proposal presented to both Russia and Ukraine.

Vance’s comments follow a series of developments surrounding peace talks, including the recent postponement of planned peace discussions in London. Originally scheduled to take place with foreign ministers in attendance, the talks were downgraded to official-level meetings and closed to the media. The UK’s Foreign Office issued a statement confirming the delay, clarifying that only official-level discussions would proceed without media access.

"The Ukraine peace talks meeting with foreign ministers today is being postponed. Official level talks will continue but these are closed to media," the UK Foreign Office said.

In London, officials from the U.S., the UK, European nations, and Ukraine are expected to gather on Wednesday to continue pushing for a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow. British Defense Secretary John Healey explained that this meeting follows recent discussions in Paris, aiming to explore the conditions of a ceasefire and long-term peace solutions.

However, a planned participation of foreign ministers, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was scrapped at the last minute. A scheduling conflict prevented Rubio from attending, prompting a shift to a meeting of officials instead. U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy posted on X, noting that "officials" would now attend the talks, including retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, who served as President Donald Trump’s envoy to Ukraine and Russia.

The diplomatic efforts come amid growing speculation that the U.S. may press Ukraine to cede territory to Russia as part of a potential peace settlement. Last week’s talks in Paris saw U.S. officials propose a plan that would allow Russia to maintain control over occupied Ukrainian territories, a suggestion that was strongly rejected by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He stated: "There is nothing to talk about — it is our land, the land of the Ukrainian people."

Some European allies of the U.S. have expressed concerns over the American proposal, though there is also recognition that Russia currently controls substantial portions of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.

A senior French official, speaking anonymously, suggested that any ceasefire agreement should be based on the current line of contact, acknowledging Russia’s entrenched positions in these regions. The official noted, however, that Ukraine’s territorial integrity and its aspirations to strengthen ties with the European continent remain key priorities for European leaders.

With the war entering its fourth year since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the effectiveness of these diplomatic efforts in bringing about a peaceful resolution remains uncertain. As the U.S. signals potential withdrawal from the negotiations, the international community watches closely to see whether these latest talks will lead to a breakthrough or further delay in ending the ongoing conflict.

By Tamilla Hasanova