At the NATO summit in The Hague on June 25, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stunned allies by publicly downplaying the urgency of new sanctions on Russia—despite acknowledging behind closed doors that Moscow remains the key obstacle to peace in Ukraine.

During a private dinner the night before, Rubio told NATO foreign ministers that the U.S. Senate might take up a sanctions bill after passing Trump’s major tax and spending legislation, according to four European diplomats. He conceded in that setting that “Russia was the problem holding back peace talks.”

But in a public interview with POLITICO on the sidelines of the summit, Rubio said, “If we did what everybody here wants us to do, and that is come in and crush them with more sanctions, we probably lose our ability to talk to them about the ceasefire—and then who’s talking to them?”

European Allies Voice Unease

European diplomats expressed growing discomfort with the U.S. posture. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski directly criticized Rubio during the private dinner, saying Russia was “disrespecting Trump by violating the ceasefire.” Another diplomat warned, “At a certain point, it’s going to look like Putin is playing Trump for a fool.”

Several allies, especially from the Baltic and Nordic countries, reportedly view Rubio as more clear-eyed on Russia in private—even if his public rhetoric stays cautious.

The EU, meanwhile, is preparing to push through a new sanctions package aimed at lowering the price cap on Russian oil exports, facing resistance from Hungary and Slovakia.

Senate Bill Awaiting Trump’s Nod

Though Senator Lindsey Graham’s sanctions bill has over 80 co-sponsors—enough to override a potential veto—Senate Majority Leader John Thune has stalled action, awaiting a sign of support from Trump. Rubio confirmed the White House is still working with lawmakers to keep options open for the president.

“We think it needs to have enough flexibility for the president to be able to impose sanctions,” Rubio told POLITICO, while noting, “we haven’t taken off any of the sanctions that we have on.”

Mixed Signals on U.S. Role in Ukraine Talks

Rubio’s dual messaging has left many allies puzzled. A senior U.S. official insisted the administration is consistent in emphasizing three points: that Trump believes peace can only come through negotiations, that new U.S. sanctions could shut down those negotiations, and that the Senate is independently moving forward.

Still, with Kyiv under continued drone attack and Moscow showing little sign of de-escalation, many NATO ministers want firmer U.S. pressure. “Here [Trump] will be given a tool,” said one diplomat. “The question is, will he use it?”