Rubio Advocates for Trump to Negotiate with Putin on Ukraine Conflict

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a bid to navigate the ongoing Ukraine conflict, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is urging the Trump administration to take any necessary steps to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. This comes amid reports that Putin has been in discussions with former President Donald Trump about their approach to the war.

During an appearance on ABC‘s “This Week” Sunday, Rubio emphasized that the resolution to the conflict hinges on bringing Putin to negotiations. “The only thing that matters is getting Putin to negotiate,” Rubio stated. “Right now, President Trump is the only person on Earth who has any chance whatsoever of bringing him to a table to see what it is he would be willing to end the war on.”

Rubio’s remarks come after a tumultuous week in Washington, where he confronted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a heated exchange over the U.S. response to Russia’s aggression. This clash highlights the ongoing debate within U.S. foreign policy circles about how best to support Ukraine amidst a backdrop of deepening tensions.

Rubio’s views sharply contrast with his positions a decade ago, when he passionately argued for the importance of U.S. support for Ukraine after the country relinquished its nuclear weapons in exchange for security guarantees through the Budapest Memorandum. “What kind of lesson do you think this instance sends to the people of Ukraine?” he said at that time, expressing frustration over the West’s inaction during Russia’s earlier annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Reflecting on past failures, Rubio criticized the message sent to countries that have disarmed in reliance on U.S. security promises, stating, “I think the message being sent is that perhaps we can no longer count on the security promises of the free world.”

In a dramatic shift, reports indicated that on Monday, Trump ordered a halt to military aid to Ukraine, suggesting that the focus is now primarily between the U.S. and Russia in dictating the terms of the peace talks, effectively sidelining Ukraine from the discussion.

This unfolding situation raises concerns among military experts and politicians alike, regarding the implications for Ukraine’s sovereignty and the precedent it sets for international diplomacy. As the Trump administration navigates these complex negotiations, analysts will be watching closely to see how both sides approach the critical interactions ahead.