Rubio Defends Trump’s Ukraine Strategy in Heated ABC Interview

Secretary of State Marco Rubio argues for peace talks with Russia while rejecting claims that the Trump administration is placating Putin.

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, emphasized the Trump administration's focus on initiating peace negotiations to end the Ukraine-Russia war during an interview on ABC's This Week.
Rubio pushed back against accusations from Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski and others that the administration is favoring Russia, asking for evidence of any actions that could be considered placating Putin.
The Trump administration faced criticism for its tense Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where Trump accused Zelenskyy of relying on U.S. involvement to gain leverage in negotiations.
A U.N. resolution proposed by the U.S. Security Council, calling for an end to the conflict, was highlighted by Rubio as evidence of the administration's commitment to peace efforts.
Rubio claimed that if Trump were a Democrat, his peace efforts would be celebrated, and he dismissed criticism as politically motivated, reiterating the administration's intent to pursue a sustainable resolution.