Trump's statement on Friday took place in the Oval Office at the White House, where he answered questions from reporters. The President said that he "will move on" if a ceasefire does not seem possible within the next few days.
The questions to the President concerned the Foreign Minister's statement the same day.
We have other priorities to focus on, said Rubio, who pointed out that the US has helped Ukraine during three years of war despite it "not being the US's war".
Trump was asked about the timeline for a change in the US's foreign policy goals after Rubio's comment.
Yes, very soon. No specific number of days (is set), but soon. We want to get this done, said Trump.
Give up land
The message from Washington followed the proposal that Rubio presented in Paris on Thursday. It included, according to the news agency Bloomberg, among other things, easing of sanctions against Russia and a repetition of previous statements that Ukraine cannot become a member of NATO. Additionally, Russia would be allowed to retain the areas in Ukraine that the country occupies.
When Rubio met a press gathering at an airport outside Paris on Friday, he said:
I believe that the UK and France and Germany can help us get the ball rolling in this and then come closer to a solution. I think they have been very helpful and constructive with their ideas.
Trump: Foolish and stupid
Trump, in turn, directed his criticism towards Moscow and Kyiv:
If either of the parties makes it very difficult, then we will say: "You are acting foolishly. You are stupid. You are terrible people – and we choose to opt out.
The talks in Paris will be followed by a new meeting in London next week. In addition, meetings will be held in the US, which will include the protracted issue of minerals in Ukraine and the American demands on the country's mining industry.
