U.S. Withdraws From Peace Negotiations As Kyiv, Moscow Shun London Summit

The United States reportedly plans to formally withdraw from its role as mediator in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia following the collapse of a planned summit in London, where key parties refused to participate.

Speaking Tuesday, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed Washington's disengagement from the negotiation process after Ukraine and Russia declined to respond positively to what he described as a “clear and fair” peace proposal. “We will refuse to mediate unless we see movement from both sides on territorial issues,” Vance said, referencing the proposal that called for mutual concessions.

The now-abandoned London talks, scheduled for April 23, were intended to bring together officials from the U.S., U.K., Ukraine, France, and Germany. However, the summit faltered when Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministers declined to attend. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled his trip in response.

Ukrainian lawmaker Maryana Bezugla confirmed on Telegram that the United States was stepping back from the peace process, citing Kyiv’s firm stance against any territorial compromise, particularly on Crimea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated on April 22 that recognizing Crimea as Russian was unconstitutional and unacceptable.

According to reports, this rejection led directly to Washington’s decision to withdraw. The U.S. had presented a one-page peace framework in Paris the week prior, described by sources as former President Donald Trump’s “final offer.” The proposal included U.S. recognition of Crimea as Russian territory and de facto recognition of other occupied areas.

France and the United Kingdom were reportedly open to a scenario where Ukraine would tacitly acknowledge its loss of territory without formal legal recognition. This approach is being compared to the Korean War armistice, which acknowledged a ceasefire without a peace treaty.

The U.S. framework also proposed lifting sanctions on Russia and enhancing bilateral economic cooperation, while offering Ukraine a vague set of security guarantees, limited territorial restitution, and support for reconstruction. Critics in Kyiv and Brussels called the plan imbalanced.

European Union officials strongly opposed parts of the U.S. plan, particularly any recognition of Russian territorial gains or sanctions relief. Reuters reported that the EU found the American terms “unacceptable” and reaffirmed that sanctions would remain in place until a mutually agreed settlement is reached.

Despite the plan being developed jointly by Rubio and Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff—who recently held a four-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin—the U.S. appears to be losing ground with its European allies and Kyiv. Putin, for his part, has reportedly signaled readiness to freeze the frontlines but continues to reject certain conditions, including the presence of European peacekeeping forces.

With Secretary Rubio and Witkoff opting out of the London meetings, retired General Keith Kellogg led the U.S. delegation instead. According to a senior U.S. official, Ukraine had recently shifted its focus toward a possible 30-day ceasefire, prompting the change in participation.

As the diplomatic stalemate deepens, the White House says it remains open to continued discussions, though Vice President Vance emphasized that the U.S. will not push ahead without reciprocal steps from both Kyiv and Moscow. “We’ve made our position clear,” he said. “Now it’s up to them.”