### Escalating Tensions: Cease-Fire Talks in London Face Setbacks

### High-stakes diplomatic efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine face uncertainty after the sudden withdrawal of key leaders from critical talks in London, casting doubt on any foreseeable cease-fire.

Britain has downgraded a critical high-level meeting aimed at ending the war in Ukraine due to the withdrawal of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, European officials reported on April 23, 2025. His decision to pull out of the talks has prompted British Foreign Secretary David Lammy to also step back, although he intends to meet separately with Ukraine’s foreign minister in London.

Despite this setback, lower-level diplomats from Britain, France, Germany, Ukraine, and the United States are still set to meet on Wednesday for technical discussions. The reconsideration of such a pivotal diplomatic gathering raises doubts about the viability of negotiating a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine.

Expectations for the meeting include reviewing details of a proposed peace plan from the Trump administration, which mandates that Ukraine recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea and abstain from NATO membership. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly rejected the idea of conceding Crimea, arguing that doing so contradicts Ukraine's constitutional integrity.

The decision to scale back discussions stemmed from a conversation between Rubio and Lammy, concluding that additional technical talks are necessary before reconvening at the ministerial level. Last week's ministerial meeting in Paris had left Rubio concerned that without swift progress, President Trump might shift focus away from the negotiations.

Initially, Rubio cited “logistical issues” as the reason for his absence but later confirmed that the U.S. would be represented by Keith Kellogg, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia. Rubio emphasized the importance of "substantive and good technical meetings" with counterparts from Ukraine and the UK.

In response, Lammy assured that talks would progress and emphasized the urgency of the situation for Ukraine, Britain, and Euro-Atlantic security. He scheduled a one-on-one meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, while the British Defense Secretary John Healey is set to meet his Ukrainian counterpart.

Ségolène Le Stradic contributed reporting from Paris. Mark Landler serves as the London bureau chief of The Times, focusing on the UK and American foreign policy in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, with a journalistic career spanning over 30 years.