A conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin is causing international tension:

Trump announced a phone call with Putin for Monday, raising high expectations.

At the same time as preparations for this phone call are underway, the US government is increasing diplomatic pressure on Moscow. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear that Russia must expect further sanctions if no progress is made in the Ukraine conflict.

Talks between Kiev and Moscow resumed

The background: Representatives of Ukraine and Russia met on Friday for direct talks for the first time in over three years. Although an agreement was reached on the imminent exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war, there were no major diplomatic breakthroughs. President Putin did not take part in the talks. The Kremlin reiterated that a direct meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would only be possible if a “substantial agreement” was reached beforehand.

Rubio: Russia is testing the West

In an interview with US broadcaster CBS News, the text of which was published in advance on Sunday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington had already sent clear signals to the Russian government. “We have made it unmistakably clear in recent weeks that the US Congress is prepared to pass additional sanctions if there is no visible progress,” Rubio said.

The government has asked Congress for a little patience to give negotiations a chance, Rubio emphasized. But political momentum is already building. “We are currently testing whether Russia is simply trying to buy time with delaying tactics,” the minister said. In the United States, Congress can impose sanctions even against the will of the government if a sufficiently large majority is found.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump is once again presenting himself as the most important foreign policy mediator: In a brief statement, he said he wanted to speak directly with Vladimir Putin on Monday. Details about the content or arrangements for the conversation are not yet known.

The president’s initiative can be seen as an attempt to prove his ability to act in foreign policy – but Trump will then have to live up to high expectations.

Vatican offers to mediate

Meanwhile, the Vatican has offered to host future negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Secretary of State Rubio described the offer as “extremely generous.” Rome could be a neutral, trustworthy place where all sides feel safe, the secretary said. He expressed hope that talks would take place regularly in the future and that the Vatican would be one of several options available.