By Anthony Marcus for Eurasia Business News, April 22, 2025. Article no.1492.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff have refused to attend upcoming Ukraine peace talks scheduled in London on April 23, according to the Financial Times and multiple U.S. and European officials. Although initially expected to participate, both Rubio and Witkoff pulled out of the meeting, which will still proceed with Ukrainian, British, French representatives, and U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg attending instead.

This decision follows a series of high-level talks in Paris earlier in April involving Rubio, Witkoff, Ukrainian, and European officials, where the U.S. presented a draft peace proposal. The proposal reportedly included controversial elements such as potentially recognizing Russia’s annexation of Crimea and barring Ukraine from NATO membership in exchange for a ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky firmly rejected these conditions, and European officials expressed concern over the U.S. peace framework, perceiving it as capitulating to Russian demands and echoing Kremlin narratives.

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Rubio and Witkoff’s refusal to negotiate further with Ukraine and the EU in London reflects growing tensions and disagreements within the U.S. administration’s approach to the conflict. Witkoff, who has met multiple times with Russian President Vladimir Putin and advocated for territorial concessions by Ukraine, has been a controversial figure, sometimes at odds with other U.S. officials like Kellogg and Rubio. Their absence signals a possible shift or stall in U.S. engagement with European and Ukrainian partners on the peace process.

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In summary, Rubio and Witkoff declined to attend the London peace talks due to unresolved disputes over the terms of peace and strategic differences, contributing to strained relations with Ukraine and European allies during ongoing efforts to negotiate an end to the war.

President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Ukraine are expected to sign a minerals deal on Thursday, April 24. He stated during a White House press conference that the agreement is ready and anticipated to be signed next Thursday, expressing hope that Ukraine will honor the deal.

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© Copyright 2025 – Eurasia Business News. Article no. 1492.