Ukraine peace talks in London downgraded after top diplomats pull out

Peace talks in London between the United States, Ukraine and other European countries to discuss ending the Russia-Ukraine war were downgraded after it was announced that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio would not attend. 

The Wednesday talks in London were set to be convened between the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Ukraine and others before a spokesperson said the top U.S. diplomat would not attend, citing scheduling issues. Talks will continue among lower-level staff.

“The Ukraine peace talks meeting with foreign ministers today is being postponed,” U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s office said in a statement. “Official level talks will continue but these are closed to media.” 

The U.S. delegation will now be led by Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg, a retired lieutenant general.

President Trump, Rubio and Vice President Vance have turned up the pressure on both Russia and Ukraine, warning that if substantial progress on a peace deal does not materialize soon, the U.S. could walk away from ceasefire negotiations.

“We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and the Ukrainians, and it’s time for them to either say yes or for the United States to walk away from this process,” Vance told journalists Wednesday. 

Rubio said he talked to his British counterpart Tuesday, writing on social media that he is “looking forward to substantive and good technical meetings with Ukrainian and U.K. counterparts” along with rescheduling his trip to the U.K. in the “coming months.” 

Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s top aide, said while in London on Wednesday that an unconditional ceasefire must take place to carve a path to peace in Eastern Europe. 

“Russia continues to reject an unconditional ceasefire, dragging out the process and trying to manipulate negotiations. But the unity of our international partners leaves it with no chance,” Yermak wrote on social media.

The U.S. is continuing to engage with Russia, with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff traveling to Moscow this week to meet again with Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to the White House.