U.S. steps back from Russia-Ukraine talks, keeps sanctions
The United States will no longer serve as the mediator in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. "Both sides must reach an agreement on their own," stated U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce. She also emphasized that the U.S. will not lift any sanctions currently imposed on Russia.
What do you need to know?
- The United States is withdrawing from the role of mediator: U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce announced that the U.S. will no longer mediate talks between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties must now come to an agreement independently.
- Change in U.S. approach: Bruce stressed that while the U.S. remains committed to helping, it will no longer travel the globe to mediate meetings. Other regions of the world also require attention.
- Sanctions policy: Tammy Bruce assured that the U.S. will not withdraw the sanctions imposed on Russia so far. Moreover, President Donald Trump expressed readiness to impose secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil, similar to the sanctions on Iran.
Why is the U.S. changing its approach?
U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce explained that the United States is altering its role in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
"We are not going to fly around the world at the drop of a hat to mediate meetings; that is now between the two parties, and now is the time that they need to present and develop concrete ideas about how this conflict is going to end," Bruce said. She added that other regions of the world also require attention, influencing the change in the U.S.'s operational style.
It’s worth recalling that before taking office again as the President of the U.S., Donald Trump repeatedly promised to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours.
What about sanctions?
When asked about the possibility of imposing secondary sanctions on buyers of Russian oil, Bruce confirmed that President Trump is prepared to take action in this direction.
"Clearly we’re not removing any sanctions that currently exist. The President wants in every action that we’ve taken as a nation to do it diplomatically; that he – clearly, because of the commitment to it," Bruce said.
New approach to Russia
Bruce noted that the previous U.S. administration assumed there should be no talks with Russia for at least three years. However, Trump and Rubio's approach is that you need to talk to people face-to-face, one-on-one.
"I’m not going to guess at the nature of what President Trump and Putin might discuss. I do know that President Trump is doing it for a reason, and that is to accomplish an end to bloodshed and massacres," Bruce added.
