U.S. Republicans may lose patience after Russia snubs Vatican talks

This was stated by Oleh Rybachuk, head of the NGO Centre for Joint Actions and Ukraine’s former Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration (2005), during a broadcast on Espreso TV.

“Lavrov made it very clear: there will be no ceasefire talks without preconditions. According to him, the end of the war can only come as a result of agreements that would be subject to negotiations. Then he once again insulted the Americans by saying that they will not negotiate at the Vatican,” Rybachuk said.

According to him, Congress may support a sanctions bill against Russia that the Trump administration would be unable to veto.

“The new Pope is American. Trump was clearly thrilled to have such a powerful mediator emerge. He really wants to wash his hands of this. Trump is sending Rubio and Kellogg to the Vatican, and if Putin refuses to send a proper delegation and instead sends nobodies again, it will be another slap in the face to the United States. After that, it will be hard to restrain the Republicans who are already ready to impose sanctions on Russia. They say that starting May 26, they will seriously raise the sanctions issue. The Senate Majority Leader is saying that it would require the White House's approval. However, there is a path where a resolution could be passed without the White House's consent — one that Trump cannot veto,” he added.

• On Friday, May 23, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed skepticism about upcoming talks with Ukraine in the Vatican, calling the idea “unrealistic”.