Trump knows 'the right time and place' for new Russia sanctions — Rubio
U.S. President Donald Trump is now unwilling to impose new sanctions on Russia, suggesting instead that he will act "at the right time and place," State Secretary Marco Rubio said in an interview with Politico on June 25.
Rubio indicated that Trump does not support European demands for tighter sanctions against Moscow. Instead, the administration is prioritizing what it calls “maintaining space for dialogue” — a stance giving the Kremlin breathing room amid its ongoing aggression.
“If we do what everyone here wants — come in with even tougher sanctions — we might lose our ability to talk to them about a ceasefire,” Rubio said.
“Then who would negotiate with them?”
He insisted that Trump is simply waiting for the "right moment" to act. However, Rubio admitted that once the administration does choose to apply further economic pressure, it would likely mean that diplomatic efforts have failed — a scenario the White House is apparently trying to avoid.
“We’re still open to engagement,” Rubio added.
“If there's a chance to bring them to the table, we’ll take it.”
Despite stalled negotiations and continued Russian offensives in Ukraine, Rubio noted that the Kremlin appears confident it can achieve its objectives by force — an assessment U.S. officials allegedly do not share.
Trump’s stance on Russia sanctions at the G7 Summit
At the G7 summit in Canada on June 16, Trump confirmed that he was putting off new sanctions on Russia, citing hopes for a peace deal — and concerns over costs.
“Sanctions cost us a lot,” he said.
“It’s billions and billions of dollars. This isn’t a one-way street.”
Bloomberg reported that discussions among G7 leaders did not shift Trump’s position. In fact, during a private dinner, he repeatedly expressed that U.S. sanctions are too expensive — remarks that reportedly frustrated European allies.
As the war drags on, Western leaders are increasingly questioning Trump’s commitment to holding Russia accountable. While they avoid direct confrontation with the U.S. president, many are seeking alternative ways to support Ukraine amid dwindling U.S. assistance.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on June 12 he had hopes to meet with Trump at the G7 summit to discuss renewed pressure on Moscow. But Trump left early, and the meeting never happened.
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