Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have warned that the United States will walk away from peace negotiations if Russia and Ukraine do not agree to a U.S.-proposed peace deal.

The U.S. has presented a seven-point peace proposal to Russia and Ukraine, which includes recognizing Russia's annexation of Crimea and freezing territorial lines close to the current frontlines. "We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and Ukrainians, and it’s time for them to either say yes or for the U.S. to walk away from this process," Vance, who is visiting India with his family, told reporters.

"We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and the Ukrainians; and it’s time for them to either say, 'Yes,' or for the United States to walk away from this process," the vice president said. "We’ve engaged in an extraordinary amount of diplomacy, of on-the-ground work. We’ve really tried to understand things from the perspective of both the Ukrainians and the Russians. What do Ukrainians care the most about? What do the Russians care the most about? And I think that we put together a very fair proposal. We’re gonna see if the Europeans, the Russians and the Ukrainians are ultimately able to get this thing over the finish line."

Under the peace plan, Russia will get De Jure U.S. recognition of Russian control over Crimea and de facto recognition of Russian control over the captured territories in Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson Oblasts. Russia will return the small parts of Kharkiv Oblast that it holds in the Vovchansk, Lyptsi, Kupyansk, and Borova directions.

Ukraine will gain unimpeded passage through the Dnipro River. And the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant will be considered as Ukrainian territory, but operated by the U.S. It will supply electricity to both Ukraine and Russia. Also, Ukraine will not join NATO; however, it could join the European Union.

Under the plan, all post-2014 sanctions on Russia will be lifted. The U.S. will enhance economic cooperation with Russia, particularly in the energy and industrial sectors. Ukraine will obtain a "robust security guarantee" with European countries and "like-minded" non-European countries; U.S. participation is not mentioned.

Ukraine will receive compensation and assistance for rebuilding. The source of this funding is unknown. The plan also references the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal which both countries will sign soon if all goes to plan.

High-level talks in London Tuesday, aimed at bringing a pause to the fighting disintegrated after Rubio and President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff pulled out of the meeting, due to Kyiv’s resistance to the peace plan.

On Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters that Rubio would not be attending the talks due to "logistical issues." 

Rubio later wrote in a post on X that he was planning on "following up after the ongoing discussions in London and rescheduling my trip to the UK in the coming months."

Zelenskyy has ruled out recognising Crimea, which was annexed by Putin in 2014, as a Russian territory, after reports suggested this was part of the negotiations between Russia and the US.

“This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine,” he said on Tuesday.

Zelenskyy's comment drew the ire of Trump who wrote on Truth Social Wednesday, "Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is boasting on the front page of The Wall Street Journal that, 'Ukraine will not legally recognize the occupation of Crimea. There’s nothing to talk about here.' This statement is very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia in that Crimea was lost years ago under the auspices of President Barack Hussein Obama, and is not even a point of discussion.

"Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory but, if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired? The area also houses, for many years before 'the Obama handover,' major Russian submarine bases. It’s inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about!

"The situation for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country. I have nothing to do with Russia, but have much to do with wanting to save, on average, five thousand Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week, who are dying for no reason whatsoever.

"The statement made by Zelenskyy today will do nothing but prolong the 'killing field,' and nobody wants that! We are very close to a Deal, but the man with 'no cards to play' should now, finally, GET IT DONE. I look forward to being able to help Ukraine, and Russia, get out of this Complete and Total MESS, that would have never started if I were President!"

On Friday, Rubio suggested that the U.S. might walk away from negotiations to end the war within "a matter of days," despite Trump’s ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire deal. Trump later told the press that Rubio was "right in saying that we want to see it end."

Pope Francis has died at the age of 88, the Vatican announced on Monday. Following several health challenges in recent years, including a serious bout of double pneumonia earlier this year, the Catholic leader reportedly died at around 0100 UTC on April 21.

The Pontiff died of a cerebral stroke on Monday afternoon. Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, the head of the Vatican’s health department, said that the stroke put him into a coma and led to irreversible heart failure. He added that Francis also suffered from episodes of "respiratory insufficiency," as well as his recent bilateral pneumonia. The pope also suffered from type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

Despite his health issues, Pope Francis continued to participate in church activities, including a surprise visit to Regina Coeli prison on Holy Thursday and an appearance at St. Peter's Basilica on Easter Sunday.

Cardinal Camerlengo Kevin Joseph Farrell was seen sealing the door to the papal bedroom and studio at the Vatican shortly after the announcement of the pontiff's death. It is traditional to seal the pope's doors after his death, which will be followed by a nine-day mourning period called Novemdiales.

Pope Francis had been seen in public greeting crowds on Easter Sunday and met with United States Vice President JD Vance.

"I just learned of the passing of Pope Francis. My heart goes out to the millions of Christians all over the world who loved him," Vance wrote on X. "I was happy to see him yesterday, though he was obviously very ill. But I’ll always remember him for the below homily he gave in the very early days of COVID. It was really quite beautiful. May God rest his soul."

UK Prime minister wrote on X: "Deeply saddened to hear of the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. His tireless efforts to promote a world that is fairer for all will leave a lasting legacy. On behalf of the people of the United Kingdom, I share my sincerest condolences to the whole Catholic Church."

President Donald Trump odered that the flag be flown at half-staff on all U.S. government and military buildings around the world.

He wrote on Truth Social, "As a mark of respect for the memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, on the day of interment. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations."

The deceased Catholic leader's funeral is expected to be held within the next week, and the conclave to elect a new pope will convene shortly after.