The U.S. is prepared to end its efforts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine if significant progress isn’t seen soon, U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio made clear on Friday. Both leaders emphasized the urgency of the situation, signaling that time is running out for any meaningful diplomatic breakthrough.

“We want to get it done quickly,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “If one of the parties makes it too difficult, we’re just going to say, ‘you’re foolish, you’re horrible people, and we’re going to walk away.’ But hopefully, we won’t have to do that.”

Rubio echoed Trump’s sentiment, stressing that there’s only a matter of days to show signs of progress. “We’re not going to continue with this effort for weeks or months. We need to determine very quickly, in a matter of days, if this can be done in the next few weeks,” Rubio said from Paris after meeting with European and Ukrainian leaders. “If it’s not possible, if we’re too far apart, then the president will probably say, ‘we’re done.’”

While both Trump and Rubio refrained from giving a concrete deadline, their remarks reflected a growing sense of impatience within the White House over the lack of progress in peace talks.

When asked about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s role in the process, Trump remained hopeful but cautious. “I hope not,” he said when asked if Putin was stalling negotiations.

In recent weeks, U.S. officials have quietly acknowledged that a swift peace deal in Ukraine is becoming increasingly unlikely. Rubio’s frustration, as reported by three European diplomats, mirrors the rising discontent within the White House over Moscow’s unwillingness to engage in meaningful peace discussions.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, however, indicated that Russia believes some progress had been made in peace talks but acknowledged that communication with Washington remains difficult. Peskov reiterated Russia’s commitment to resolving the conflict while protecting its interests and stated that Moscow is still open to dialogue with the U.S.

Adding to the tension, U.S. officials were reportedly frustrated by comments made earlier this week by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy had accused Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, of “spreading Russian narratives,” a move that U.S. officials felt undermined the peace process.

As the clock ticks on the potential for a peace deal, both sides seem to be at an impasse, with the U.S. making it clear that continued talks will only be possible if both Russia and Ukraine demonstrate a genuine willingness to compromise. Time will tell whether the next few days will bring any movement toward peace or if the U.S. will pull back from the negotiating table.

Source: Reuters – US will abandon Ukraine peace push if no progress soon, Trump and Rubio say

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For Tauheed Khan, soaring above Kabul in his cargo plane was a moment of immense pride. “I flew over my childhood home,” he recalled. “The joy was indescribable.”

Khan was among the Afghan Air Force (AAF) pilots who played a crucial role in the 20-year U.S.-led war against the Taliban, carrying out airstrikes alongside American forces. However, after the U.S. withdrawal in August 2021, the Taliban swiftly regained control, leaving pilots like Khan at grave risk.

Now, stranded in Pakistan with his family, Khan lives in constant fear of retaliation from the very forces he once fought against. And with anti-migrant policies tightening in both Washington and Islamabad, time is running out for a safe escape.

The U.S. invaded Afghanistan in 2001 in response to the September 11 attacks, toppling the Taliban and ushering in a period of democratic reforms and improved rights for women. Yet, conflict continued, especially in rural areas, leading to tens of thousands of casualties. By 2021, as the U.S. withdrew and relied more on Afghan forces, civilian deaths surged to over 5,000 in just six months.

The rapid collapse of the Afghan military and government enabled the Taliban’s return. According to Human Rights Watch, those affiliated with the former government remain at high risk, facing extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary arrests.

Afghan pilots became high-profile targets due to their visibility in local communities. “Eight to ten of my colleagues were assassinated in targeted attacks,” Khan recounted.

Shawn Vandiver, founder of #AfghanEvac, a coalition aiding Afghan allies, emphasized the betrayal these pilots face: “They risked everything for America. Now their lives are on the line due to our broken promises.”

Khan’s friend, aviation engineer Khapalwaka, lived under constant threat for his role in intelligence and reconnaissance operations. Forced to relocate every few months for safety, he now struggles to survive in Pakistan, selling firewood to support his family. “I fear the Taliban’s reach even here,” he said. “I just want my daughters to have an education.”

The Taliban, however, denies targeting former pilots. “They are an asset to Afghanistan,” spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid told CNN. “Some have already returned and are serving the nation.”

Khan currently resides in a cramped apartment in Islamabad, his children sleeping on the floor under worn blankets. He fled to Pakistan in March 2022, following advice from his U.S. trainer. Initially, he followed the steps of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), finally securing an interview at the U.S. embassy in April 2023. Since then, he has heard nothing.

Policy shifts under former President Donald Trump have worsened his prospects. Executive orders have halted refugee admissions and cut funding for Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders. According to #AfghanEvac, at least 2,000 Afghans who had already been approved for resettlement are now in limbo. Reports suggest an expanded travel ban may soon include Afghanistan.

Pakistan, historically home to millions of Afghan refugees, has become increasingly hostile toward migrants. Since October 2023, authorities have intensified crackdowns, and in February 2024, Pakistan announced the repatriation of all Afghans bound for third-country resettlement by March 31.

Abbas Khan, Pakistan’s chief commissioner for Afghan refugees, justified the move, stating, “We simply don’t have the resources to support migrants in transit.”

For pilots like Jawad Ahmed, the deadline brings dread. A former Black Hawk helicopter pilot, Ahmed said, “Every day blends into the next. I fear for my family’s safety because of my past military service.” He, too, has been in limbo for two years after completing a U.S. immigration interview in May 2024.

“Pakistani police are arresting Afghan neighbors,” he added. “My children are overwhelmed with fear.”

Returning to Afghanistan is not an option. “Only death, difficulties, and horrors await us,” Ahmed stated.

His family in Afghanistan has assumed new identities to stay safe. “It’s as if I never existed,” he said. “Nobody knows I was their son or brother.”

A U.S. Air Force pilot who worked with Afghan aviators admitted that abandoned allies weigh heavily on service members. “We fear for them. We have anxiety about their futures,” he said. Vandiver echoed these concerns, warning that leaving Afghan allies behind sends a chilling message to potential future partners in Ukraine, Taiwan, and elsewhere.

“China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia are going to exploit this failure,” Vandiver said.

The U.S. embassy in Pakistan stated that they remain in communication with Islamabad regarding Afghan resettlement, but for Khan and his fellow pilots, time is running out.

As the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr nears, a time traditionally filled with joy and family gatherings, Khan and his 27 fellow Afghan pilots and engineers can only dream of stability. They long for proper beds, education for their children, and a way out of limbo.

“We are suffocating with fear,” Khan said. “We don’t know what will happen to us.”

Their plea to the U.S. government remains desperate and urgent: “You trained us. We stood with you. Now, for the love of God, get us out of here.”

Source: CNN – Afghan pilots who fought in 20-year war against Taliban in limbo after Trump blocks US resettlement plans

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed hope that U.S. President Donald Trump will reconsider his decision to withdraw from the agency, following an executive order he signed on his first day back in office. The WHO’s statement, issued Tuesday, highlighted the critical role the organization plays in global health, including efforts to combat disease outbreaks and build stronger health systems.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement, “The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the Organization.”

Trump’s executive order, signed on Monday, cited several reasons for the U.S. withdrawal, including allegations of the WHO’s “mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic” and its failure to enact needed reforms. The order also criticized the organization for what it described as a lack of independence from political influences of member states.

Despite these claims, WHO emphasized the importance of its work in addressing global health challenges, including disease detection, prevention, and response—efforts that often occur in areas where others cannot reach. The organization underscored that the United States, as a founding member of the WHO since 1948, has played a key role in its mission.

“We hope the United States will reconsider,” the WHO’s statement continued. “We look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”

In light of the significant impact of global health crises, the WHO remains committed to its mission of promoting public health worldwide, including in the United States.

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday, directing the United States to once again withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. This decision delivers a setback to global efforts aimed at combating climate change and further isolates the U.S. from its allies in the fight against global warming.

Trump’s action, coming hours after his second-term inauguration, echoes his 2017 directive when he initially announced the U.S. would exit the landmark agreement. The Paris accord seeks to limit global warming to well below 2.7°F (1.5°C) above pre-industrial levels, with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Countries participating in the agreement must submit updated emission reduction plans, with a deadline of February 2025.

Trump’s Stance on the Paris Agreement

In his order, Trump criticized the Paris agreement, stating that it does not align with U.S. values and claims it “steers American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people.” Trump emphasized that the U.S. should rely on its successful track record in advancing both economic and environmental objectives as a model for other nations.

Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and a key architect of the Paris accord, expressed disappointment but stated that global action to combat climate change is stronger than any individual country’s policies. Tubiana stressed the “unstoppable economic momentum” driving the global transition to clean energy, which the U.S. has benefited from, but now risks losing by withdrawing.

Economic and Environmental Impact

The global clean energy sector is expected to triple to over $2 trillion by 2035, with the U.S. playing a major role in this growth. However, Tubiana pointed out that the worsening effects of climate change, such as devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, serve as a reminder that the U.S. is not immune to the crisis.

Gina McCarthy, former White House climate adviser under President Joe Biden, responded to Trump’s withdrawal order by arguing that staying focused on clean energy is key to achieving energy independence and creating jobs. McCarthy stressed that clean technologies have already lowered energy costs for Americans and continued progress in this sector is vital.

U.S. Withdrawal Process and Global Reactions

The withdrawal process from the Paris accord will take a year, with Trump’s previous withdrawal taking effect after the 2020 presidential election. When Trump first pulled out of the agreement, it shocked and angered many nations, but no other country followed suit. Instead, other countries, businesses, governors, mayors, and investors renewed their commitment to fighting climate change.

Experts, however, lamented the loss of U.S. leadership on the global stage. Climate activist Bill McKibben expressed concern that America would no longer play a pivotal role in solving the climate crisis, calling it the “greatest dilemma humans have ever encountered.”

Public Opinion on U.S. Withdrawal

Public opinion on the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is divided. According to a poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, about half of Americans “somewhat” or “strongly” oppose the U.S. leaving the accord. Among Republicans, support for withdrawal is strong, but it is not unanimous.

The U.S. and Global Emissions

China is now the world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide, while the U.S. ranks second. In 2023, the U.S. emitted 4.9 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, a decrease of 11% from a decade earlier. However, the U.S. is responsible for nearly 22% of global carbon dioxide emissions since 1950. While the U.S. continues to contribute a significant amount of emissions, global efforts to reduce carbon emissions persist, despite Trump’s stance.

Global Concerns and the Future

Experts worry that a second term under Trump will further hinder international climate action. With Trump’s dismissal of climate change and his withdrawal from the Paris accord, countries like China might reduce their own efforts to curb emissions. Simon Stiell, the U.N. climate change executive secretary, urged the U.S. to continue embracing the global clean energy revolution, warning that ignoring it would send economic advantages to competing economies and exacerbate climate disasters like droughts, wildfires, and superstorms.

While the Paris Agreement remains open to any country’s participation, the uncertainty surrounding the U.S. stance is likely to have lasting implications for global climate efforts.

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