Bloomberg: US, EU agree to apply ‘maximum pressure’ on Russia

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed “on the need to keep maximum pressure on Russia to move toward a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine,” Bloomberg reports, citing sources.  

Kallas and Rubio held a phone call on Jan. 28.

“We discussed global issues where the EU and US have the same interests, including Russia’s war in Ukraine, Iran’s malign influence and challenges posed by China,” Kallas wrote on X following the conversation. “The EU and US are always stronger together.”

Rubio also urged the EU to boost defense spending and welcomed the bloc’s expanded sanctions against Russia, according to the U.S. State Department.  

“Secretary Rubio underscored the need to strengthen transatlantic security,” the readout of their call said.  

Earlier, Rubio stated that Washington aims to end the war in Ukraine in a way that prevents another conflict from breaking out in the coming years.