U.S. signals shift in approach to Russia-Ukraine war, will step back from mediation role

Speaking at a May 1 briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the United States will no longer act as a primary mediator in the negotiations. 

“The methodology of how we contribute to this will change in that we will not be the mediators… We certainly are still committed to it and will help and do what we can. But we are not going to fly around the world at the drop of a hat to mediate meetings, that it is now between the two parties,” Bruce stated.

Bruce also referenced Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s earlier remarks about a shift in U.S. strategy, emphasizing that the responsibility for developing concrete ideas to end the war now lies with Russia and Ukraine.

“Now is the time that they need to present and develop concrete ideas about how this conflict is going to end. It’s going to be up to them,” she added.

When asked about the possibility of additional sanctions against those aiding Russia — a move hinted at by former President Trump — Bruce noted that Trump prefers to act through diplomatic channels and recognizes the need to focus on global issues more broadly.

• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington will abandon its "mediator role" between Russia and Ukraine if there is no progress toward achieving peace between them.