US Continues To Work For Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire, But Says No Deals ‘Until Carnage Stops’

<p>The US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on Tuesday (US local time) that America continues to push for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, but stressed that there would be no negotiations, decisions, or arrangements with the countries “until after the carnage has stopped”.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Responding to a question about the ongoing negotiations with Russia regarding the possibility of sanctions relief and whether the White House has asked the State Department to consider lifting any sanctions, Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said: “I won’t speak to any discussion between the White House and the State Depaerment, Secretary Rubio and any other leader here. But what I can say is a reminder that was clear from the beginning- there would be no negotiations, no decisions, no arrangements until after the carnage has stopped.”</p>
<p>She went on to say that following Psalm Sunday, it was evident that serious questions need to be asked about who is genuinely committed to peace and a ceasefire. “But there are no negotiations or arrangements, based on the regular statements from the administration and from Secretary Rubio as well. It’s a meat grinder. That has not changed, and until that stops, nothing like that is happening,” Bruce said.</p>
<p>”Yet, we continue to work obviously for the ceasefire in that regard,” she added.</p>
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<h3>There’s Incentive For Russia To End This War: White House</h3>
<p>Bruce’s remarks come after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s press briefing on the agreement with Russia. When asked whether Russia agreed to anything to Steve Witkoff, Leavitt responded that she did not want to get ahead of the negotiations. However, she noted: “What I can tell is, a productive conversation was had as the Presidential envoy Steve Witkoff said last night he believes that Russia wants to end this war and the President believes that as well.”</p>
<p>She further added that “there is incentive for Russia to end this war,” which she pointed out could include future economic partnerships with the United States. “But we need to see a ceasefire first, and the President and the Presidential Envoy Witkoff made it very clear to the Russians,” she stressed.</p>
<p>Her comments come after US President Donald Trump blamed the Biden administration for the Russia-Ukraine war, claiming it would not have not happened if the 2020 election had not been “rigged.”</p>
<p>According to Al Jazeera, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, previously held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.</p>
<p>The Kremlin, without elaborating, said the meeting “focused on various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement”.</p>
<p>The discussion took place as the US continues its efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement to end the conflict, which has stalled due to negotiations on the terms of the deal.</p>
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