US steps back from peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia after landmark minerals deal
The US has taken a step back from mediating peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, expressing frustration over Vladimir Putin’s lack of cooperation.
Tammy Bruce, a spokesperson for the department, confirmed the strategic shift on Thursday, saying the US is changing “the methodology of how we contribute” to the talks and firmly stated: “we will not be the mediators.”
Per the Telegraph, her full comments were: “The nature of how this would change is we would not – we certainly are still committed to it and will help and do what we can.
“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.
“And now – 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.”
The move follows months of frustration in Washington after Russian President Vladimir Putin refused to agree to a ceasefire, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning in a Fox News interview: “This is not our war.”
He added that unless there is a breakthrough “very soon,” President Trump would have to decide just how much US time and resources should be dedicated to the conflict.
While the US pulls back from shuttle diplomacy, it’s ramping up its economic and strategic ties to Ukraine.
On Wednesday, the Trump administration informed Congress that it would approve a $50 million arms export to Kyiv — the first military shipment since Trump returned to office over 100 days ago.
It marks a sharp policy change after Washington recently paused all Ukraine-related military aid for review.
That same day, Washington and Kyiv signed a “historic” minerals deal, granting the US preferential access to Ukraine’s natural resource sector, per the Independent.
The deal has been months in the making and could reshape America’s long-term involvement in the region — not through boots on the ground, but via business and investment.
Though the agreement includes no official security guarantees, it gives the US a vested economic interest in Ukraine’s stability and postwar recovery. It also signals that while America may be stepping back diplomatically, it’s still very much in the game.
Ukraine’s parliament is now set to ratify the minerals pact on May 8. Lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak confirmed the vote via Telegram, noting that two of the deal’s key documents won’t require parliamentary approval.
According to Bloomberg sources, US intelligence now believes Putin is in a weakened position and has dialed back his original war goals.
However, that hasn’t stopped the Kremlin from digging in. As Putin refuses to budge, US officials are reportedly preparing a range of options to ramp up economic pressure on Moscow — though no final decision has been made.
Meanwhile, Kyiv and its allies continue to press Washington to turn up the heat, urging expanded sanctions on Russian energy exports and oil revenues in a bid to squeeze Putin back to the negotiation table.