U.S. Increases Pressure on Russia Ahead of Upcoming Trump-Putin Call
As tensions rise in Ukraine, the United States has intensified its warnings to Russia ahead of a scheduled phone call between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin. The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, indicated in an interview that new sanctions could be imposed on Russia if there are no advancements in discussions surrounding a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The imminent call, set for Monday, aims to explore potential avenues for concluding the ongoing conflict initiated by Russia. Rubio emphasized that the Russian government has been made aware of the possibility of additional sanctions and that there is a significant majority in Congress advocating for stronger measures if progress is not achieved in the negotiations.
Trump expressed optimism regarding the upcoming conversation, hoping it would lead to a productive outcome and an end to the violent conflict affecting Ukraine. This will mark the third communication between the two leaders since Trump's inauguration in January.
In a significant development, Ukrainian and Russian negotiators met in Istanbul for the first time in over three years on Friday. While they successfully organized a substantial prisoner exchange, they failed to reach an agreement regarding a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has advocated for a more active role for Italy in European efforts to resolve the conflict. Following discussions with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Merz expressed the need for unity within the European Union and highlighted Italy's potential contribution to the peace process.
Merz also supported the European Commission's proposal to prevent the resumption of operations for the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea as part of new sanctions against Russia. This comes after a joint ultimatum issued by Merz and other European leaders, demanding a 30-day ceasefire from Russia, which was ultimately disregarded.
As European leaders prepare to implement a new sanctions package targeting Russia's financial and energy sectors, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has revealed preliminary details, including measures against the Nord Stream pipelines.
Furthermore, Rubio characterized the Vatican's offer to host further discussions between Russia and Ukraine as a generous initiative, suggesting that it could provide a conducive environment for ongoing dialogue.