Rubio and Kallas clash over Ukraine war at tense G7 meeting

According to the sources that were present at the meeting said tensions rose during discussions on Ukraine., Kallas criticized the United States for not increasing pressure on Russia.

She recalled that a year ago Rubio said the US would take action against Russia if it obstructed efforts to end the war.

“A year has passed, and Russia hasn't moved. When is your patience going to run out?” Kallas asked.

Rubio, sources say, was irritated by the question.

“We are doing the best we can to end the war. If you think you can do it better, go ahead. We will step aside,” he replied.

Rubio also noted that the US is negotiating with both sides, while providing only Ukraine with weapons, intelligence, and other support.

Following the exchange, several European ministers intervened, saying they want the US to continue pursuing diplomacy.

Sources said that at the end of the meeting, Rubio and Kallas briefly stepped aside to try to calm tensions.

Speaking to reporters afterward, Rubio denied any conflict or criticism.

“These meetings are oftentimes about thanking America for the role we played... and appreciation for the mediating role we've tried to play in this war between Russia and Ukraine. No one there screams or raises their voices or says anything negative,” he said.

US eases sanctions on Russia

As a reminder, the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control recently allowed transactions involving Russian crude oil and petroleum products loaded onto vessels before March 12.

Russian leader Vladimir Putin, for his part, urged the country’s energy companies to take advantage of the sharp rise in oil and gas prices driven by the war in the Middle East.

At the same time, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed that the 30-day easing of sanctions on Russian petroleum products did not increase Moscow’s revenues, but instead reduced them.