WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that the push for additional sanctions on Russia could shut the door on future peace negotiations over Ukraine, even as U.S. efforts to broker an end to the conflict continue.

“We may very well reach a point where everyone concludes no peace is going to happen here, we’re going to have to do more sanctions — but when you do that, you are basically walking away from any prospect of a negotiated settlement,” Rubio said.

The remarks reflect the delicate balancing act the Trump administration faces as it seeks to maintain pressure on Moscow while keeping open the possibility of diplomacy. President Donald Trump’s recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska was described as “frank” but produced no breakthrough. Trump is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington to continue the diplomatic push.

Analysts note Rubio’s comments underscore the administration’s reluctance to rely solely on punitive measures, with officials arguing that sanctions alone have failed to change Russia’s behavior. Instead, Washington is seeking to combine pressure with direct negotiations, despite skepticism from critics who demand a harder line against Putin.

For now, Rubio insists that leaving the door open to diplomacy is critical. “If peace is still possible, we can’t abandon that chance,” he said.