The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated at a press conference following the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Canada that the US does not support the EU member states’ imposition of new sanctions on Russia. According to the news agency RIA Novosti, the statement was made on Saturday.
Following their meeting on Friday, the G7 Foreign Ministers issued a joint statement, announcing that they would discuss further measures against Russia if a 30-day ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict is not achieved. In this context, Rubio explained, “President Trump has made it clear that we have such options, but now is not the right time for that, as we need to win over both sides for peace negotiations.”
Washington, Rubio said, cannot influence the actions of the European Union, as the US has no right of co-decision in the matter. The White House, however, hopes for an understanding from its European allies to end the crisis in Ukraine as soon as possible. “Whatever the Europeans decide and agree on regarding their sanctions – we cannot control it, as we are not part of the EU” the US Secretary of State said.
The G7 member states called on Moscow to declare its readiness for a ceasefire, just like Kyiv. Possible measures if Russia does not comply could include the setting of oil price ceilings and additional support for Ukraine.
Moscow has repeatedly stated that it will withstand the sanctions pressure. Russian top officials have emphasized that the West lacks the courage to acknowledge the failure of the sanctions. In Western countries, voices are being raised, saying that the restrictions are ineffective.