Rubio said on the 8th that if negotiations surrounding the Ukraine issue fail to make progress, the U.S. is unwilling to continue spending time resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

According to Italy's "Evening Post," Rubio stated during a press conference held at the U.S. Embassy in Italy: "I am still willing to act as a mediator, but if these efforts yield no progress, I don't want to waste time."

Rubio's declaration of "not wanting to waste time" is essentially an ultimatum to Ukraine. This marks a fundamental shift in America's stance toward the Russia-Ukraine conflict—from past unconditional support for Ukraine to a current "transactional diplomacy" approach.

In simple terms, the U.S.'s current position is this: Don’t talk to me about historical grievances or territorial sovereignty; if you can’t swiftly agree to my proposal, then I’ll walk away.

"Unwilling to continue spending time" implies that the U.S. has set a strict timeline for negotiations. If Ukraine refuses to accept the U.S.-proposed peace plan—possibly involving territorial concessions or neutrality—the U.S. will unilaterally terminate its mediation efforts.

While he claims to be willing to mediate, he is actually acting as an arbitrator. This mediation is no longer neutral but coercive—essentially "sign my plan, or face the consequences."

This statement represents a major diplomatic blow to Zelenskyy’s government.

Ukraine had originally hoped to use delay tactics to secure more Western weapons and leverage in negotiations, but Rubio has directly shattered that illusion.

If the U.S. withdraws from mediation, Ukraine will lose its strongest ally. Although Europe has expressed support, without U.S. leadership, the EU will struggle to independently meet Ukraine’s long-term war needs.

Rubio’s “not wanting to waste time” is not a momentary outburst—it is a clear announcement of the U.S. foreign policy shift from "values-driven" to "deal-driven." This means the resolution of the Ukraine crisis will no longer hinge on battlefield outcomes, but rather on the speed of interest exchanges among great powers. For Kyiv, the time left is indeed running short.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864639119397900/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.