Rubio's tough talk shows Trump's frustration - but there's only one loser if US walks away

Marco Rubio's comments are the strongest indication yet of Washington's apparent growing frustration at the lack of progress in peace talks. 

It's been two months since Donald Trump initiated negotiations, with a call to Vladimir Putin, in the hope of bringing the conflict to a swift conclusion.

Since then, his team has sat down with both sides on multiple occasions, at multiple levels, in multiple locations.

But what have they actually got to show for it?

There was a much-touted 30-day ceasefire covering strikes on energy infrastructure, but it never formally began.

And with both sides continuing to accuse the other of violating it, 30 days have now passed and the agreement seems to have disappeared without a trace.

Then there was supposed to be a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea.

But again, that still hasn't actually materialised, because Russia says it will only take part if certain sanctions are lifted first.

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It's highly doubtful Donald Trump really believed he could end the war within 24 hours of taking office (as he promised several times), but I think he did seriously believe he could secure at least a cessation of hostilities relatively quickly, giving him an early win in his presidency.

There had been suggestions of an April/May deadline, or even an Easter ceasefire, but that now looks like pie in the sky.

So is the threat to "move on" from the talks genuine?

Or another famous negotiating tactic from the so-called master of the deal?

Trump's approach has been heavily criticised for not being tough enough on Vladimir Putin.

It's been all carrot for Moscow but only stick for Kyiv - and this latest intervention feels like it's more of the same.

Because, as things stand, Ukraine still has a lot more to lose than Russia, if the war drags on.

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So, for now, I don't think Russia will be too concerned about Rubio's threat.

That would, of course, change if the White House was also threatening to walk away from attempts to rebuild diplomatic relations with the Kremlin, but it does not sound like that is the case.

It appears that Moscow has successfully managed to compartmentalise its rapprochement with Washington, to make it a separate issue from the war.

It's so that even if the wider peace talks fail, Russia's bilateral bridges with the Trump administration will continue to strengthen.