State Department: US wants to continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and will not turn away in time of need

The United States wants to "continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine" as it advocates for a ceasefire and will not turn away "in this moment of need," said Deputy State Department spokesperson Mignon Houston. The official said this in an interview with the Estonian media outlet Postimees, a fragment of which published state Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce.

"Well, I'll be clear by stating this administration does not want a quick fix [to the war] – this administration wants a long, lasting, enduring peace in the region. We want to continue standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine as Ukraine calls for a ceasefire that is comprehensive, that is full, that halts any assault on civilians, on critical infrastructure," Houston said.

According to her, the United States understands, and the President Donald Trump clearly stated that in order to achieve this goal, it is necessary to continue direct negotiations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, as it was in Istanbul.

"We have to continue with a push for a comprehensive, unconditional ceasefire that will result in a negotiated peace. The secretary [Marco Rubio] has said on multiple occasions that means both sides may need to make decisions that they are willing and able to make that will result in the peace, security, and prosperity for their citizens," the official said.

She added that the United States is "stands closely in ensuring that we can see an enduring peace... and will not turn away during this moment of need."

• On July 28, Trump shortened his 50-day ultimatum to Putin: he now gave the dictator "10 or 12 days" to conclude a peace deal, otherwise, secondary duties will be applied to buyers of Russian resources.
• The very next day, the US president said that Putin has 10 days to end the war against Ukraine. At the same time, the US President believes that the settlement of the war in Ukraine will take a long time.
• On July 31, US diplomat Kelly said that the agreement between Russia and Ukraine must be achieved by August 8, otherwise, the United States will be ready to take additional measures to ensure peace.
• The US ambassador to NATO said that if Washington imposes the previously announced sanctions against Russia and its trading partners, then its ability to finance the war will end.
• On August 2, The Hill reported that the U.S. Senate was going to adjourn for summer recess without passing a bill to impose sanctions on Russia – this gives Trump the exclusive right to make this decision on his own.