Washington, D.C. – Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday the Trump administration will soon determine whether Russia is sincerely pursuing peace in Ukraine or merely stalling for time, echoing growing frustration from President Donald Trump over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s continued aggression.
With the war in Ukraine dragging on into its fourth year, President Trump remains firm in his promise to end the bloodshed—something he pledged to accomplish within 24 hours of returning to office in January. Despite repeated overtures for negotiation, progress has stalled, raising concerns that Moscow may be using diplomacy as a smokescreen.
“We’ll know very soon if they’re serious,” Rubio said on CBS’s Face the Nation. “Talks just occurred in Turkey. Both sides agreed to exchange written proposals. If Russia offers something realistic, we’ll move forward. If not, we’ll reassess.”
Putin’s initial refusal to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky face-to-face, sending lower-level envoys to Istanbul instead, signaled more stalling than sincerity. The talks yielded no breakthroughs.
In response, Trump announced on Friday that he would speak directly with Putin on Monday, followed by a call with Zelensky. “A ceasefire will happen, and this very violent war—a war that never should’ve started—will come to an end,” Trump said during a press briefing in Qatar.
Trump emphasized the urgency of halting the carnage. “We estimate over 5,000 soldiers are dying each week on both sides. I’ve seen the satellite images. I’ve never seen anything like it—limbs and bodies scattered everywhere. It’s horrific. It must stop.”
On Saturday, the President posted on Truth Social:
“I will be speaking, by telephone, to President Vladimir Putin of Russia on Monday, at 10 a.m. The subjects of the call will be stopping the ‘bloodbath’… and trade. I will then speak with President Zelensky of Ukraine, and later with several NATO leaders. Hopefully, it will be a productive day. A ceasefire will take place, and this war, which never should have happened, will end. God bless us all!”
Rubio reinforced the administration’s dual-track strategy of diplomacy and pressure. “This war is bloody, it’s destructive, and it needs to end,” he said. “We’re balancing hope with urgency—there’s no appetite for endless, meaningless negotiations.”
Meanwhile, congressional Republicans are preparing to tighten the screws on Moscow. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is set to introduce a sweeping sanctions package with bipartisan support, which Rubio noted has near veto-proof backing in both chambers.
“We’ve kept Russia informed for weeks that sanctions are coming,” Rubio said. “We can’t stop that train, and they know it.”
Putin, speaking through Russian state media on Sunday, responded to the pressure by demanding that any peace agreement include “long-term security guarantees for the Russian state” and the protection of Russian-speaking regions in Ukraine.
Despite the hardened rhetoric, Rubio remains cautiously optimistic. “Everyone’s expressed a willingness to talk. Now it’s about getting everyone to the table, finding the right moment, and pushing forward with purpose.”
Prominent Republican voices are also weighing in.
Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) was blunt: “Nothing will change until Putin knows we’re willing to turn him into fish food.”
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) echoed the urgency, posting on X:
“I’ve seen enough killing of innocent Ukrainian women and children. President Trump, please impose the toughest sanctions possible. It’s clear Putin is playing us.”
As Monday’s high-stakes phone calls approach, President Trump appears resolute in his mission to end the conflict and restore peace—on America’s terms, and with American strength leading the charge.