In a notable shift in diplomatic tone, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly expressed Washington’s impatience with protracted negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, urging both parties to produce concrete proposals toward ending the war. The remarks come after the first direct talks between Moscow and Kiev in three years, held in Istanbul on May 16, which resulted in a prisoner exchange deal involving 1,000 detainees on each side and a commitment to draft formal ceasefire road maps.

Rubio’s comments, aired during a May 18 interview on CBS News’ Face the Nation, reflect a mounting sense of urgency within US foreign policy circles, as global attention fractures across multiple crises and geopolitical flashpoints. “On the one hand, we’re trying to achieve peace and end a very bloody, costly, and destructive war. So there’s some element of patience that is required,” Rubio said. “On the other hand, we don’t have time to waste… We don’t want to be involved in this process of just endless talks. There has to be some progress, some movement forward.”

This dual messaging-combining rhetorical support for diplomacy with an undercurrent of strategic impatience-highlights the Biden-Trump administration’s evolving approach toward the Ukraine conflict. Rubio’s warning suggests that Washington will not tolerate what it perceives as a stalling tactic, particularly from Moscow, as the war enters a more uncertain phase.

The Istanbul meeting, which marked a rare thaw in direct communication, has been cautiously welcomed by international observers. While the prisoner swap and agreement to draft ceasefire proposals are seen as encouraging signs, skepticism remains high. Russia has made it clear........

© Blitz