Overview

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the U.S. might abandon efforts to mediate a Russia-Ukraine peace deal within days if no tangible progress is made.
• Recent high-level talks in Paris produced an outline for peace steps and a memorandum of intent on a U.S.-Ukraine minerals partnership, with a follow-up meeting planned in London.
• Russia continues to reject a comprehensive ceasefire, demanding Ukraine halt mobilization and Western arms supplies—conditions Ukraine has refused to accept.
• Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities persist, with recent attacks in Kharkiv and Sumy causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
• European allies express growing concerns about the U.S. approach, fearing it may weaken broader security commitments while negotiations remain deadlocked.