U
S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made an unexpected statement that could fundamentally change Washington's approach to the Ukrainian conflict. In an interview with several journalists gathered near the ramp of his plane at the Le Bourget airport in France, the diplomat hinted that the prospects for reaching a peace agreement in Ukraine are becoming increasingly uncertain. According to him, the United States aims to determine in the coming days whether it is even possible to find a pathway to sustainable peace, and if this path appears unlikely or completely unattainable, they are prepared to abandon long-term negotiations and shift to other priorities. Rubio emphasized that “we need to determine in the coming days whether peace is possible or not, and if it’s not, then we must move on, since the U.S. has other priorities.” This statement can be perceived as a significant signal that Washington does not exclude the possibility of ending diplomatic efforts or redirecting its efforts elsewhere if the prospect of peace seems out of reach. It is worth noting that Marco Rubio arrived in Paris on Thursday, April 17, where he is scheduled to participate in the first open discussions on Ukraine involving American, European, and Ukrainian representatives. These meetings are taking place amid delays in the negotiations process aimed at ceasing hostilities, initiated precisely by Washington. While diplomatic actions currently seem futile, European countries are trying to ensure their voices and positions are heard in the broader political discourse. Although, at least formally, the U.S. does not abandon the search for compromise, the expressed willingness to leave negotiations opens many questions regarding the future of diplomatic efforts in this complex situation. Does this signify a shift in the U.S. strategic course? Is Washington perhaps going to focus on other geopolitical priorities, leaving the Ukrainian issue in the background? The answers to these questions remain open for now, and the situation surrounding the Ukraine-Russia conflict continues to be uncertain and tense.