During an interview on CNN, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to apologize for attempting to provoke President Donald Trump into attacking Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Rubio criticized Zelensky for his approach during his visit to Washington, suggesting that his remarks turned a situation into a “fiasco.” He said, “There was no need for him to go in there and become antagonistic.”
According to Rubio, the situation escalated when Zelensky addressed the U.S. administration in a combative way. He recalled, “I believe it went off the rails when he said, let me ask you a question to the Vice President. What kind of diplomacy are you talking about?” Rubio pointed out the gravity of the conflict, stating, “This is a serious thing. I mean, thousands of people have been killed, thousands.”
Rubio said that there were deeper issues at play beyond Zelensky’s remarks and stressed that the way to bring the conflict to an end was through diplomacy and getting Russia to the negotiating table.
“He talks about all these horrible things that have happened to prisoners of war and children. All true, all bad. This is what we’re dealing with here. It needs to come to an end,” he continued. “The way you bring it to an end is you get Russia to the table to talk.”
Rubio then made it clear that attacking Putin, regardless of personal opinions about him, was not a productive approach.
“He understands that attacking Putin, no matter how anyone may feel about him personally, forcing the president into a position where you’re trying to goad him into attacking Putin, calling him names, making maximalist demands.”
Rubio’s remarks followed a heated exchange between President Trump and Zelensky on Friday. During his visit to Washington, Zelensky called out Putin for invading Ukraine and for violating previous diplomatic agreements. The Trump administration, however, has maintained a policy of not criticizing Putin, instead directing its criticism at Zelensky and European allies.
Watch the clip below:
What specifically do you want Zelensky to apologize for?
Rubio: For turning this thing into a fiasco
It went off the rails when Zelensky asked VO “What kind of diplomacy are you talking about”
You don’t come here and start lecturing us on how diplomacy isn’t going to work 1/ pic.twitter.com/x88SoGfVSD
— Tymofiy Mylovanov (@Mylovanov) March 1, 2025
