The United States is prepared to push for sanctions against Russia if Moscow refuses a proposed ceasefire agreement in Ukraine, Secretary Marco Rubio said Wednesday.
Speaking from Ireland, Rubio confirmed that the U.S. is awaiting Russia’s response to the latest ceasefire proposal but made it clear that economic penalties will be a key part of any negotiations. “If Russia says no, it will tell us a lot,” he said.
Rubio emphasized that “there is no military solution to this conflict” while stressing that Ukraine must maintain “a sufficient deterrent against future attacks.” However, he stressed that a rare earth minerals deal between Ukraine and the U.S. should not be interpreted as a security guarantee.
He urged Russia to halt its military operations, stating, “so people will stop dying, so bullets will stop flying.”
Earlier today, Russia said that they will decide on the ceasefire once Washington provides them with details of the proposal Zelenskyy already has agreed on.
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