US Vice President J.D. Vance said President Donald Trump wants the war between Russia and Ukraine to end, AFP reported.
"There has been a lot of debate about what our foreign policy should be regarding Russia and Ukraine", Vance said during a statement in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. "The president of the United States has been very clear. He wants the killing to stop." Vance added that Trump aims to "get back to trade" and "to stop innocent people losing their lives in this conflict".
The statement comes amid ongoing debate over Western sanctions against Russia after the US introduced a 30-day exemption allowing purchases of Russian oil already loaded on ships.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Ottawa would maintain sanctions against Russia, while European Council President Antonio Costa warned that easing pressure on Moscow was "very worrying".