A major meeting in London aimed at bringing about an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine has been downgraded after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would skip the summit, escalating a clash between Washington and Kyiv over the future of Russian-occupied Crimea.

Talks between the U.S., Ukraine and European officials to discuss ending Russia's war in Ukraine faltered as Secretary of State Marco Rubio abruptly cancelled his trip to London.

London talks aimed at securing a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia have been downgraded and will no longer include US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. The meeting on Wednesday will instead take place among senior officials from the UK,

Vice President JD Vance said it was time for Kyiv and Moscow to accept the Trump administration's ideas for how to end the war in Ukraine or Washington would walk away from peace negotiations.

Vice President JD Vance warned Wednesday that the United States would "walk away" unless Russia and Ukraine agree a peace deal, as envoys from Washington, Kyiv and European nations gathered for downgraded talks in Britain.