U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that Vladimir Putin’s delegation had to pay cash for jet fuel in Alaska due to crushing sanctions. While Kyiv demanded tougher sanctions, Rubio ruled out fresh measures, warning they won’t end the war quickly. At the same time, Donald Trump shifted pressure onto Ukraine, insisting Zelensky could “end the war almost immediately” if he conceded NATO membership and Crimea. With their Washington meeting looming, the stakes couldn’t be higher.