U.S. officials have finalized new economic sanctions against Russia, including banking and energy measures, to intensify pressure on Moscow to embrace U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to end its war on Ukraine,

State Department Press Secretary Tammy Bruce joins ‘America Reports’ to explain the United States’ involvement in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and what it means for the path to peace.

The State Department is poised to step away from its role as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine after the two sides remain “far apart” on a deal to end the war. The Trump administration has spent the first 100 days trying to bring an end to the protracted war in Europe,

The State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, denied on Friday reports from some media outlets claiming that the US would withdraw from mediating negotiations with Russia and Ukraine. She clarified that she merely reiterated an earlier stance,