Spokesperson: US steps back from lead role in Ukraine talks

The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting a diplomatic resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict but indicated it will no longer take a leading role in mediation efforts.

At a press briefing, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed a question on potential secondary sanctions against Russia, citing Moscow’s continued attacks on Ukraine and U.S. sanctions on those trading oil with Iran, Caliber.Az reports.

“Well, we know, again, that he’s stated his willingness to do that, about the nature of – clearly we’re not removing any sanctions that currently exist,” Bruce said, without confirming any imminent measures against Russia.

“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. And yet he knows also that there is another part of the world, a whole globe that needs some attention,” she added, highlighting a broader shift in U.S. foreign policy focus.

Bruce emphasised that while Washington remains committed to supporting a peaceful settlement, it will not lead future negotiations.

“The Secretary’s also made it very clear that while our style will change, the methodology of how we contribute to this will change in that we will not be the mediators,” she said. “That is what I mentioned on Tuesday, and the nature of how this would change is we would not – we certainly are still committed to it and will help and do what we can. But we are not going to fly around the world at the drop of a hat to mediate meetings, that it is now between the two parties, and now – now is the time that they need to present and develop concrete ideas about how this conflict is going to end. It’s going to be up to them.”

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that, the United States remains committed to seeking a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine, though major differences between Kyiv and Moscow persist.

“ I think we know where Ukraine is and we know where Russia is right now and where Putin is.  They’re still far apart.  They’re closer, but they’re still far apart.  And it’s going to take a real breakthrough here very soon to make this possible, or I think the President is going to have to make a decision about how much more time we’re going to dedicate to this," he stated.

By Aghakazim Guliyev