Vince warns of the possible US exit from negotiations on Ukraine: Should we wait for their end?
Vice President of the United States Joe Biden, D. J. Vince, suggested that Washington might cease participating in diplomatic talks with Russia regarding the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine if further efforts fail to yield significant results. This recent statement came ahead of a planned phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, which could determine the future direction of Washington’s foreign policy on this issue. According to Vince, during this conversation, Trump is expected to ask Putin how seriously the Russian regime is committed to achieving peace in Ukraine today. The vice president emphasized that negotiations between the countries have been ongoing for several months and are currently at a “deadlock.” He quotes what the US president might say: “Do you really want this? Are you ready to make peace?” — and added that the situation is becoming increasingly critical. He stated that the US is “more than serious” about halting its participation in so-called peace negotiations with Russia if there are no visible progress and tangible results that would confirm both sides’ desire for a ceasefire and political settlement. Vince underscores that he is currently uncertain whether Vladimir Putin has a strategy capable of ending the war. While Trump is willing to make efforts to restore trust between Russia and the West, he also understands that “it takes two to tango.” In other words, without mutual willingness from both sides to meet halfway, reaching a peace agreement is unlikely. Accordingly, the US might attempt to accelerate the diplomatic process but also leave open the possibility that if such efforts fail, they will abandon this “game” and declare: “You know what? It was worth trying, but we will no longer participate in this process.” Vince’s statements come amid prolonged diplomatic efforts and complex negotiations regarding the Ukrainian conflict. For the United States, this is one of the key foreign policy issues central to the administration and public attention. According to sources, diplomatic efforts thus far have not produced the desired results, and the situation is worsening daily. Recall that one of Trump’s major campaign promises was to achieve peace in Ukraine. At that time, he actively announced plans to broker a so-called “peace deal,” but over time, he acknowledged that this goal is much more complicated than it initially appeared. Upcoming contacts between the American leader, Putin, and Zelensky are scheduled soon: on May 19, Trump is set to have a phone call with the Russian president, followed by a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. US officials hope that these talks will help find ways to de-escalate the conflict and initiate a real process toward peace. Trump’s special envoy, Steve Vitkoff, expressed confidence that the leaders’ discussion will be “very successful,” although its outcome largely depends on the readiness of both sides to make compromises and take the first step toward each other. Overall, the situation surrounding Ukraine in the US is becoming increasingly tense. Meanwhile, Washington does not rule out that if diplomatic efforts fail to produce desired results, the US could completely cease its active participation in these negotiations, citing the need to protect national interests and ensure the safety of its citizens. This is a very possible scenario that could significantly influence the further development of the conflict in eastern Ukraine and the ongoing international diplomatic crisis, which remains unresolved. Therefore, the coming weeks and months will show how seriously the US will approach the issue of peace — whether they will leave diplomatic efforts behind and switch to other strategies. Time is working against all parties involved, and every small step forward in diplomacy holds enormous importance for Ukraine’s future and regional stability.