Diplomatic tensions are rising as the United States signals it may withdraw from efforts to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, following a turbulent week of high-level talks and continued violence on the ground.

During a visit to India, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington had put forward a "very explicit proposal" to both Kyiv and Moscow, urging them to accept the terms or risk losing American support entirely. "It’s time for them to either say yes or for the U.S. to walk away from this process," Vance told reporters. He emphasized that the U.S. has already invested heavily in diplomatic efforts and that patience is running thin.

The warning comes in the wake of unexpectedly downgraded talks in London, initially intended as a major diplomatic push involving the UK, France, Germany, Ukraine, and the U.S. The absence of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff—who both pulled out at the last minute—has raised questions about the U.S. commitment to the London meetings. Retired General Keith Kellogg, former National Security Advisor to President Trump, attended in their place.

U.S. officials are now redirecting their attention to Moscow, where Witkoff is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the fourth time this week. This shift underscores a growing belief in Washington that progress might come more directly through dialogue with the Kremlin.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his demand for an “immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire,” calling it the top priority. Speaking on social media, he declared, “Stopping the killing is task number one.”

Zelensky also pushed back strongly against reports that a possible U.S.-Russia deal could include recognizing Crimea as Russian territory. “There’s nothing to talk about,” he said, stressing that Ukraine would not compromise on its sovereignty.

The Financial Times reported that Russia might be willing to halt its invasion along current front lines in exchange for U.S. recognition of its control over Crimea. But the Kremlin dismissed the article as “fake,” and Zelensky insisted no such offer had been shared with Ukraine.

British diplomats, caught off guard by the American withdrawal from the London meetings, said official-level talks would continue behind closed doors. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy called his discussion with Rubio “productive,” despite the setback.

On the ground, Russia resumed attacks on Ukraine following a short Easter lull. In the eastern city of Marhanets, a Russian drone strike killed nine workers and wounded many more. In the southern region of Kherson, a key power facility was destroyed after sustained bombardment.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey told Parliament there was no evidence of a genuine Russian ceasefire. “While Putin says he wants peace, he has rejected a full ceasefire,” Healey said. He added that Russian military advances appeared to be slowing, though attacks remained intense on multiple fronts.

The war, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, has killed or injured hundreds of thousands and displaced nearly seven million Ukrainians. Despite the recent flurry of diplomatic activity, a lasting peace deal still seems distant.