US ties talks on easing Russia curbs to Ukraine truce

KABUL (Pajhwok): The United States has ruled out negotiations on easing anti-Russian sanctions until a ceasefire in Ukraine is agreed.

At a regular media briefing, a spokeswoman for the State Department refused to answer the query whether the department had received any instructions from the White House on sanctions relief for Russia.

“What I can say is … there would be no negotiations. No decisions, no arrangements, until after the carnage has stopped,” Tammy Bruce said.

TASS quoted her as insisting: “It’s clearly a dynamic where there have to be more questions about the nature of who’s really committed to peace and a ceasefire.”

Following Sunday’s missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy Palm, the spokesperson said, a troubling pattern has begun to emerge.

The Ukraine conflict was a destructive action, Bruce commented, saying: “Yet, we continue to work obviously for the ceasefire.”

President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, with the White House hailing the discussions as productive.

Trump believes Russia wants to bring the war in Ukraine to an end, a conclusion he reached after Witkoff’s trip to Russia.

PAN Monitor/mud