The United States is ramping up pressure on Moscow, threatening new sanctions if peace talks between Russia and Ukraine fail to deliver tangible results. As U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in an interview with CBS News, the American administration has made it “pretty clear” to the Kremlin that Washington’s patience is running thin.
“We’ve made it clear to Moscow that there’s a broad majority in Congress in favor of additional measures if there’s no progress,” Rubio emphasized. According to him, the White House had asked lawmakers for a short delay to give diplomacy a chance, but ultimately, it cannot hold back the congressional process. When asked whether Moscow is merely trying to buy time, Rubio replied: “That’s exactly what we’re testing right now.”
A New Wave of Tension Ahead of Leaders’ Call
These remarks came shortly before the third planned phone call this year between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump expressed hope that “it will be a productive day, a ceasefire will be reached, and this extremely violent war… will come to an end.” The Kremlin confirmed that the call is scheduled.
Since assuming office in January, Trump has already spoken with Putin twice. He has repeatedly stated that one of his top priorities is to end Russia’s war in Ukraine as quickly as possible.
There was some cautious optimism after recent talks in Istanbul, where Ukrainian and Russian negotiators met for the first time in over three years. While both sides agreed on a major prisoner exchange, no consensus was reached regarding a ceasefire.
Europe Seeks Unity: Italy, Germany, and the Role of the EU
Amidst this diplomatic activity from the U.S., Europe is also reshaping its approach to the conflict. After a visit to Rome, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz advocated for a stronger role for Italy in resolving the crisis. “Prime Minister Meloni and I agree: Italy must play a part here,” Merz stated, referring to the Italian leader Giorgia Meloni. He did not reveal specific plans but noted that he would soon consult with other European partners.
Tensions had previously surfaced in Italy after Meloni was not invited to a recent summit in Kyiv, attended by leaders from France, the UK, Poland, and Germany. Media reports suggest that the decision to exclude her came at the request of French President Emmanuel Macron. Meloni, without naming names, stated that “perhaps now is the time to put aside personal sensitivities that threaten the vital unity of the West.” Her predecessor, Mario Draghi, had participated in a prior visit to Kyiv.
Sanctions and Nord Stream: A New Phase of Pressure
Merz also voiced clear support for the European Commission’s proposal to include a ban on restarting operations of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea as part of the new sanctions against Russia. Just days earlier, during a visit to Kyiv with Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Merz had jointly called on Moscow to agree to a 30-day ceasefire. The demand was ignored by the Kremlin.
Now, European leaders are working on a fresh sanctions package, primarily targeting the financial and energy sectors. According to Der Spiegel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has already outlined some key measures, including restrictions on Nord Stream.
Vatican as a Possible Venue for Future Talks
One unexpected but welcomed development is the Vatican’s offer to serve as a neutral venue for future talks between Russia and Ukraine — not just for a possible meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but for broader negotiations. Secretary Rubio called the Vatican’s offer “very generous” and noted that it could be a place where all sides feel at ease.
“Hopefully, we’ll reach a point where regular talks become possible, and the Vatican can be one of the venues,” Rubio stated.
This article was prepared based on materials published by Der Spiegel. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
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