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State Department Briefing, April 17, 2025: Rubio and Witkoff in Paris on Ending the Russia-Ukraine War

April 17, 2025 · U.S. Department of State · 0:46:51

Embedded from the source channel — never re-uploaded. Watch on YouTube

What happened

Spokesperson Tammy Bruce led the State Department briefing on April 17, 2025, opening with Holy Thursday wishes to Christians observing the sacred time. Her lead item was diplomacy on the Russia-Ukraine war: Secretary Marco Rubio, Ambassador Steve Witkoff, and Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg were in Paris that day seeking a path forward to end the war, meeting European partners to advance shared interests and restore stability, as stated at the briefing.

Bruce said President Trump has been clear the war has to end quickly and completely, and that during his recent NATO visit Secretary Rubio said the time for peace is now — not in months or years. She recalled Rubio’s statement from two weeks earlier that it would be a matter of weeks before it would be known whether Russia is serious about wanting to end the war. She said the Paris visit would also cover the shared commitment to ensuring Iran never develops or obtains a nuclear weapon.

In questions, Bruce confirmed the Iran talks would be in Rome on Saturday, noted Secretary Rubio would not be there, and said the Paris meetings were ongoing as the briefing took place, with more to say once reports came in, as stated at the briefing.

Why it matters

The briefing dates the administration’s Ukraine diplomacy clock: Rubio’s ‘matter of weeks’ test for Russian seriousness, stated from the podium while the Paris talks were underway.

Scoreboard watch

Rubio’s test, relayed at this briefing — that within a matter of weeks it would be known whether Russia is serious about ending the war — is a dated, checkable claim.

Sources: U.S. Department of State, “Department of State Press Briefing - April 17, 2025”, 2025-04-17 (official upload, embedded above; published 2025-04-17). Transcript via Supadata (private research store, paraphrased and attributed, not republished). All figures and characterizations as stated by the speakers.