Rubio Holds Call with Russian Foreign Minister
White House Responds to Putin's Three-Day Truce: "A Permanent Ceasefire Is Needed"
The Donald Trump administration in the United States has repeatedly pressured Russia to agree to a ceasefire in the Ukraine war.
On April 28 (local time), the U.S. State Department announced in a press release that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had once again emphasized to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov the need to immediately end the war in Ukraine.
Secretary Rubio spoke with Minister Lavrov the previous day at Russia's request. During the call, he stressed the next steps in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and the need for an immediate end to the war.
The State Department stated, "The United States is making a serious effort to end this senseless war."
The White House also reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing a permanent ceasefire in the Ukraine war on the same day.
White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt stated during a briefing that, in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's declaration of a three-day ceasefire from May 8 to 10, the United States wants a "permanent ceasefire."
She said, "We understand that President Putin has proposed a temporary ceasefire," and made it clear that President Donald Trump "wants to see a permanent ceasefire that will stop the killing and bring an end to the bloodshed." She added, "He (President Trump) is increasingly frustrated with the leaders of both countries," and urged, "While he remains optimistic about reaching an agreement, he is also realistic. The two leaders (of Russia and Ukraine) need to come to the negotiating table."
Previously, President Trump had hinted at the possibility of a so-called second round of sanctions and pressured President Putin to halt attacks against Ukraine and sign a peace agreement. Amidst this, President Putin unilaterally declared on this day that there would be a ceasefire in Ukraine for three days, from May 8 to 10, coinciding with the Victory Day holiday commemorating the end of World War II.
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