Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that Russia has only a limited time to show it is serious about ending the war in Ukraine. After two days of meetings with NATO ministers in Brussels, Rubio told reporters the U.S. is done waiting on vague commitments and will judge Moscow by actions, not promises.
“We will know soon enough—weeks, not months—whether Russia truly wants peace or is just playing for time,” Rubio said.
The Trump administration has offered a ceasefire framework, which Ukrainian officials have shown willingness to consider. However, Moscow has so far resisted. U.S. officials are increasingly skeptical, suspecting that the Kremlin is seeking to stall while continuing its military operations.
Rubio also confirmed that new sanctions are being prepared in Congress, and they may move forward without delay if no progress is seen in the talks. The administration appears prepared to increase pressure should Russia fail to engage in negotiations in good faith.
Tensions escalated following a missile strike that killed civilians in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukrainian officials accused Russia of targeting residential areas, while Moscow claimed the strike was aimed at military personnel. Emergency services reported dozens wounded, including young children, and fires in nearby buildings.
In response, Zelenskyy called on Western nations to increase diplomatic and military pressure on Moscow. “Every attack shows that Russia isn’t ready for peace. These aren’t accidents—they are part of an ongoing invasion,” Zelenskyy said in a statement.
European leaders echoed these concerns. Germany’s foreign minister said Russia was stalling while continuing to make new demands. British and French officials also pushed for a clearer commitment from Moscow and warned against any backtracking.
Diplomatic efforts have been underway, including a recent visit to Washington by a senior Russian envoy. This marked the first face-to-face dialogue since the invasion began. Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev met with Rubio and other U.S. officials, calling the talks “encouraging,” though Rubio remained cautious. “We need to see movement, not just meetings,” he said.
Meanwhile, Trump continues to suggest a peace deal could pave the way for renewed U.S.-Russia ties. Some European allies remain wary, concerned the U.S. might concede too much to secure an agreement.
Military leaders from France and the U.K. visited Kyiv to discuss options for supporting a future ceasefire. Ukrainian officials say that without a clear enforcement mechanism, any truce risks falling apart.
Rubio closed with a measured tone, saying that while there are both hopeful and concerning signals, the U.S. intends to find out soon where Russia really stands. “This isn’t about endless diplomacy,” he said. “It’s time to move forward—or move on.”
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