Politics
WATCH: Rubio Clashes With George Stephanopoulos, Gives Foreign Policy Lesson
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a tense back-and-forth with Clinton strategist turned ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos over the Trump Administration’s foreign policy and a desire to end the War in Ukraine.
When asked whether he has had any contact with President Zelensky’s Administration since Friday’s chaotic meeting, Rubio stated that he has not. The nation’s top diplomat noted that several members of the Trump cabinet, including himself, have met with Zelensky or members of his administration within the last 10 days before stating that the Trump Administration is still committed to a peace deal.
“I think the last line in the President’s Truth Social post is the one to focus in on, and that is we’ll be ready to reengage when they’re ready to make peace, which is clearly what the President’s goal is here. He’s trying to get Russia to the table to bring about – to see if there’s a way to bring about an end to this conflict,” Rubio said. “That’s his goal. That’s his only goal. That’s his centralized focus. And hopefully, we’ll get to a point where that’s possible.”
President Trump has stated that he is not open to another White House meeting until Zelensky is ready to negotiate. The Ukrainian leader was expected to sign an economic agreement that would provide a portion of profits from his nation’s minerals sector as backpay for U.S. aid, though he ultimately reneged on the deal after clashing with Trump and Vice President Vance.
Reports surfaced Sunday that Zelensky is once again willing to sign a minerals deal, though Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that Zelensky has pledged to sign, then balked on the agreement on three separate occasions already.
President Trump, Vice President Vance and Ukrainian President Zelensky clash in the Oval Office on February 28, 2025
Later on in Sunday’s interview, Rubio clashed with Stephanopoulos when the ABC host asked why the administration is reluctant to refer to Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “dictator” while negotiations are ongoing. Rubio responded by noting that the previous administration took a hard line towards Russia that has gone nowhere, stressing that current tactics are geared towards bringing the Kremlin to the table.
“All these other things that people keep bringing up, that’ll have to be a part of a negotiation. Right now there is no negotiation. Shouldn’t we at least try to see if there is a way to end this war in a way that’s acceptable to both sides and is enduring and sustainable? How is that a bad thing?” Rubio said. “I really am puzzled why anyone thinks that trying to be a peacemaker is a bad thing. It’s only a bad thing when it’s Donald Trump trying to do it, when it’s President Trump. It’s absurd to me.”
Stephanopoulos then accused the administration of “placating” Vladimir Putin, at which point an animated Rubio rejected the ABC host’s framing. “Well, which ones? What steps has the President taken to placate,” the secretary responded as Stephanopoulos was trying to ask a question about anti-Trump Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), who has criticized the administration over Friday’s meeting.
“What steps has he taken? Are we arming the Russians?” Rubio continued, refusing to allow Stephanopolous to get away with the biased, and factually untrue statement. “Are we providing economic assistance to the Russians? Have we given the Russians $180 billion? What does that mean, ‘to placate?'”
At that point, Stephanopolous asked about a quote from Murkowski, who accused the administration of “walking away from our allies” and “embracing Putin” in her latest anti-Trump screed.
Rubio was unamused by Murkowski’s statement, saying, “Well, yeah, we’re a free country. People have a right to these opinions.”
“I would just say to you, “What have we done to placate the Russians?” The only thing we’ve done is say are you guys willing to talk about peace. I say the same point. We’re not giving – we haven’t given Russia $180 billion in weapons. We haven’t given them an Oval Office meeting,” the secretary added.
Rubio concluded the interview with a foreign policy lesson for the former Clinton strategist, who asked what concessions will be demanded of Russia for a possible peace deal. “Well, why would I say that on a news broadcast? That’s what negotiations are about. That’s the problem here. Again, everybody is – this is not a messaging exercise, okay? This is can they get to a table, and then there’s hard work to be done.”
