US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the importance of diplomacy in resolving the conflict with Russia, criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s approach in a meeting at the Oval Office. Rubio believes that getting Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate is crucial and that Trump has the best chance of achieving this goal.
Rubio stated that Ukraine’s security guarantees are meant to deter aggression, but he emphasized the need for engaging with Russia to see if negotiations can be reached. He accused Zelensky of undermining these efforts by being confrontational and “Ukraine-splain-ing” history, which Rubio believes will hinder progress.
Despite criticism from some media outlets, Rubio defended his comments about Putin, arguing that they were not intended to offend the Russian leader but rather to emphasize the need for diplomacy. He hopes that a reset can be achieved and that Zelensky comes to understand that the US is trying to help Ukraine avoid further casualties.
Rubio’s stance reflects a divide within the US on how to approach Russia, with some calling for a more aggressive response and others advocating for diplomacy. The US goal remains to get Putin to the negotiating table, where he can discuss concessions that could end the war.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-administration-zelensky-news-03-02-25/index.html