Downgraded talks on Russian war in Ukraine amid diplomatic deadlock

U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials are scheduled to meet in London on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, expectations for any significant progress remain low after most foreign ministers withdrew from the meeting, despite U.S. efforts to push for a deal.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled his trip, and a planned meeting with foreign ministers from Britain, Ukraine, France, and Germany was postponed. This shift in the talks comes even after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Washington might withdraw if no substantial progress is made soon. Trump expressed hope on Sunday that both Moscow and Kyiv would reach a deal this week to end the three-year war, but few diplomats thought this was likely, given the significant gaps between the parties.

Rubio spoke with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Tuesday, indicating plans to reschedule his trip in the coming months after Wednesday's "technical meetings." A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized that Russia needed to take responsibility for advancing talks, stating support for Trump's peace efforts and Ukraine's call for a full ceasefire.

Special envoy Steve Witkoff, who had not been involved in the London discussions, will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia later this week. This will be part of Washington's separate diplomatic track with Moscow. The London meeting follows a similar one in Paris last week, where U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials discussed strategies for peace. Trump’s Ukraine envoy, General Keith Kellogg, is expected to attend the London talks.

During the Paris meeting, the goal was for the U.S., European, and Ukrainian officials to find common ground, bringing the U.S. closer to the European and Ukrainian stance. However, some U.S. proposals, particularly regarding Russia’s annexation of Crimea, were deemed unacceptable by Europe and Ukraine. Additionally, Russia’s demand to lift European Union sanctions before negotiations are concluded remains a significant point of contention.

European officials have outlined non-negotiable aspects of a potential peace deal, which U.S. diplomats must address for talks to move forward.