State Department says Secretary Rubio conveyed ideas from Lavrov to the president; diplomacy ongoing

Reporters asked whether Secretary Rubio's conversations with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov could lead to new sanctions or a path toward peace in Ukraine. Tammy, the State Department spokesperson, said the secretary "shared some ideas that he said he would take back to the president" and that the president is the ultimate decisionmaker on sanctions.

"Our strategy is to continue to engage all the parties that are involved in finding an outcome to this conflict," Tammy said. She declined to discuss the contents of private diplomatic talks at the briefing, describing diplomacy as a "fluid dynamic" that involves many communications and envoys operating continuously.

Why it matters: The direction of U.S. diplomacy, including whether to escalate sanctions or change engagement with Russia, affects the course of the conflict in Ukraine, allied coordination, and potential military and economic assistance.

Details: Tammy said the administration strongly condemns Russia's escalating attacks on Ukraine, expressed condolences to victims, and described the president's main objective as stopping deaths and destruction. She reiterated that U.S. officials speak frequently with Ukrainian counterparts and that public reports of phone calls do not capture the full scope of diplomatic communications.

What was not said: The spokesperson declined to characterize the private substance of the secretary's discussions with Lavrov or to preview specific sanctions decisions, saying such determinations rest with the president.