Rubio defends Trump's approach to Russia-Ukraine war
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) defended GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump saying the Russia-Ukraine war must end through negotiation in an interview Sunday rather than counting on a Ukrainian victory.
“I'm not on Russia's side — but unfortunately the reality of it is that the way the war in Ukraine is going to end is with a negotiated settlement,” Rubio said in an interview with Kristen Welker on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “And I want, and we want, and, I believe Donald Trump wants, for Ukraine to have more leverage in that negotiation.”
Rubio, vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he didn’t know “why we can’t just say that” in regards to Trump’s proposed negotiated deal.
On Wednesday, Trump gave one of his strongest signals so far that he will not fully back Ukraine's aims, saying Ukraine should have “given up a little bit” at a campaign event in North Carolina. On Friday, after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Trump supported a negotiated deal, saying, "It takes two to tango, and we will." And when asked directly, the former president denied two opportunities to say he wanted Ukraine to win during the last presidential debate against Vice President Kamala Harris.
Zelenskyy and Ukraine's supporters have insisted that all of Ukraine's occupied territory must be restored. But Rubio added that the Biden administration, if pressed on what victory looks like for Ukraine, would also agree that a negotiation is the end result.
“We hope that when that time comes there is more leverage on the Ukrainian side than on the Russian side. That really is the goal here in my mind,” Rubio said. “And I think that's what Donald Trump is trying to say, but he's going to say it like a businessman. But Biden won't even tell us what victory is.”
The Florida senator also danced around supporting Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance for saying that a peaceful settlement could look like “the current line of demarcation between Russia and Ukraine, that becomes like a demilitarized zone” on a podcast recently.
“I think what the deal looks like will be up to the parties when they negotiate it. Obviously, Zelenskyy is not going to come out there and say, from a negotiating standpoint is not going to go out there and predetermine what it looks like,” Rubio said. “So I understand why he wouldn't want to go out there and define what it looks like at the front end.”
He added, “But I think we, as Americans, the reality of it is we are investing billions of dollars into this effort, and it's important that as we invest this money into this effort that we tell the American taxpayer, ‘This is what the money's going toward.’ Ultimately, it's not endless war, right?”
When pressed on whether he would be comfortable with accepting the demarcation agreement Vance proposed, Rubio dodged, saying he would be comfortable with a negotiated deal that ends hostilities and favors Ukraine, “meaning that they have their own sovereignty.” He reiterated that he would not “prejudge any agreement” when asked if that means he did not support Vance’s claims.
“The most important thing here is that these hostilities end and that Ukraine can go back to rebuilding its economy and people can move back. Millions of people have had to leave that country,” Rubio said. “It's been devastating to them. But that negotiation is going to be up to them. I just want them to have more leverage than Putin.”
Date: | |
Tag: | Donald Trump |
Topics
-
Top stories - ABC News
Israel-Gaza-Lebanon updates: IDF begins ground incursion into Lebanon
Israel and Hezbollah are exchanging hundreds of cross-border strikes in the wake of the shocking explosions of wireless devices across Lebanon last week.22 minutes ago - Israel -
World - The New York Times
Russia to Boost Defense Budget as Ukraine War Drags On
The Kremlin plans a 25 percent increase to more than $145 billion in 2025, a year in which it had intended to cut military spending.2 hours ago - Ukraine -
Top stories - CBS News
How Russia, Ukraine use drones for war
Russia and Ukraine have been ramping up the use of drones since the war began more than two years ago. Ben Solomon, a senior video correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, joins CBS News with ...3 hours ago - Ukraine -
World - Yahoo News
Russia cements its ‘war economy’ status with military spending hikes
6 hours ago - Russia -
World - ABC News
Russia proposes record defense spending as it pursues victory in the Ukraine war
The Russian government wants to earmark 32.5% of its spending next year for defense, a record amount and up from a reported 28.3% this year, as Moscow seeks to prevail in the war in Ukraine7 hours ago - Ukraine -
Politics - The Hill
Why do Russians appear so satisfied despite the war in Ukraine?
Despite Western sanctions and the war in Ukraine, Russia's most affluent cities have seen a boom in economic growth, with modern infrastructure, digital services, and cheap mobile data usage, ...7 hours ago - Ukraine -
World - The New York Times
U.S. and Allies Sound Alarm Over War Ties Among Axis of Adversaries
The Biden administration is struggling to halt cooperation among Russia, China, North Korea and Iran. It feels urgency over the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East while also aiming to protect Taiwan.8 hours ago -
World - The Guardian
Russia-Ukraine war live: Ukrainian man jailed for life after Russian nationalist injured in car bomb
Prosecutors claim the May 2023 bombing in the Nizhny Novogorod region was conducted at the direction of Ukraine’s security services. A single Russian ship, carrying Kalibr missiles, continues its ...9 hours ago - Ukraine -
World - Financial Times
Is Harris vs Trump impacting the economy?
All the uncertainty — in five charts12 hours ago - Donald Trump -
Top stories - CBS News
Despite devastating blows, Hezbollah says it's ready for war with Israel
Israel has killed many of Hezbollah's senior leaders with devastating strikes in Lebanon, but neither side appears ready to step back from the brink.12 hours ago - Israel -
World - ABC News
Hezbollah's deputy leader vows to fight on, says group prepared for long war in his first speech since leader was killed
Hezbollah's deputy leader vows to fight on, says group prepared for long war in his first speech since leader was killed12 hours ago -
World - The Guardian
‘More Trump than Trump’: JD Vance becomes effective Maga messenger
After an inauspicious start, the Ohio senator has become a tribune for Trump’s biggest issues: immigration and the economy. When Donald Trump tapped JD Vance, the US senator and never-Trumper ...13 hours ago - Donald Trump -
Top stories - The New York Times
Jimmy Carter Approaches the Century Mark, Eclipsing His Presidential Peers
Nineteen months after entering hospice care, the 39th president is set to turn 100 on Tuesday. His birthday wish? A chance to vote for his party’s candidate one more time.14 hours ago -
World - The New York Times
Separated by the Ukraine War, Two Soul Mates Reconnect
Sofia Malina and Polina Muzhychkova met in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, but were separated after it came under brutal assault by Russian forces. They were reunited after a long and harrowing saga.14 hours ago - Ukraine -
Business - CNBC
Oil markets not pricing in an 'all-out war' after Israel kills Hezbollah leader, but risks persist
Oil prices barely budged after Hezbollah confirmed that its leader was killed on Friday in an Israeli airstrike in the Lebanese capital of Beirut.15 hours ago - Israel -
Politics - The Hill
Biden says he'll speak with Netanyahu soon amid fears of a wider war
President Biden said on Sunday that he would speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and said he thinks a broader war in the region “has to be” avoided. “It has to be,” Biden said, ...20 hours ago - Joe Biden -
Top stories - CBS News
Biden calls for diplomacy, says all-out war must be avoided
President Biden said Sunday he would speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that he believes that an all-out war in the Middle East must be avoided. Natalie Brand reports from ...21 hours ago - Joe Biden -
Sports - Yahoo Sports
Doug Pederson defends Jaguars OC Press Taylor after loss to Texans drops them to 0-4: 'As coaches we can’t make the plays'
Pederson didn't directly criticize quarterback Trevor Lawrence. But he was quick to deflect criticism when it was aimed at Jacksonville's play-calling.22 hours ago - NFL -
World - The Wall Street Journal
Zelensky Visited U.S. to Seek War Boost. His Most Important Ally Shrugged.
Ukrainian troops are slowly losing ground, and officials say more support is needed to hold Russia back.22 hours ago -
World - The Guardian
Ukraine war briefing: 16 injured in Russian attacks on city of Zaporizhzhia
Residential buildings and railways damaged in guided bomb strikes on city, says Ukraine; more than 100 drones attack major weapons depot deep inside Russia, Kyiv says. What we know on day 950. ...22 hours ago - Ukraine -
Sports - CBS Sports
Liberty vs. Aces score: Breanna Stewart drops 34 points as New York runs away from defending champs in Game 1
Stewart went off in Game 1 of the Liberty-Aces semifinals matchup22 hours ago - New York -
World - Yahoo News
India diamond industry struggles to stave off war impact
22 hours ago - India -
World - ABC News
Israel-Hamas war latest: Israel strikes Houthi targets in Yemen
Hezbollah has confirmed the death of high-ranking official Nabil Kaouk in an Israeli strike23 hours ago - Israel -
Entertainment - ABC News
She defended 'El Chapo.' Now this lawyer is using her narco-fame to launch a music career
Mariel Colón spent years working as a defense lawyer for Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán while he faced trial in U.S. courtYesterday -
Politics - The Hill
Rubio on Hezbollah retaliation: 'That will be Iran’s decision to make'
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said it will be Iran’s “decision to make” whether the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah retaliates after ...Yesterday -
Politics - NBC News
Sen. Marco Rubio says the war in Ukraine will end 'with a negotiated settlement'
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) on Meet the Press blasted the Biden administration for not defining "what victory means in Ukraine" and said that a future Trump administration would end the war "with a ...Yesterday - Ukraine -
Politics - NBC News
GOP Sen. Marco Rubio says war in Ukraine will end 'with a negotiated settlement'
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., on Sunday blasted the Biden administration for not defining “what victory means in Ukraine” and said that a future Trump administration would end the war “with a ...Yesterday - Ukraine -
Politics - NBC News
Sen. Marco Rubio defends Israel’s bombing of Hezbollah leader and calls it ‘a service to humanity’
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, reacts to the death of Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli strike. NBC News confirms Israel used an ...Yesterday - Israel -
Business - Financial Times
Nasrallah and Assad: The Syrian war that changed Hizbollah
Lebanese militant leader’s decision to fight for dictator stoked sectarian divisions and damaged groupYesterday -
World - Yahoo News
Kremlin spokesman defends Putin's changes to Russian nuclear doctrine
Yesterday - Russia -
Politics - The Hill
Harris closes gap with Trump on economy
Vice President Harris is gaining steam with voters on the economy, just as the economy itself is showing new signs of its strength. The economy is the top issue for voters, according to many ...Yesterday - Donald Trump -
World - The New York Times
Put Vladimir Putin on Trial for War Crimes? That’s One Lawyer’s Demand.
The human rights barrister Geoffrey Robertson argues that even a trial in absentia would have impact and could vindicate international law.Yesterday -
Politics - Politico
Tlaib calls on Blinken to resign over statements related to Israel-Hamas war
4 days ago - Israel
More from Politico
-
Politics - Politico
Biden: Congress 'may have to' come back to approve Helene relief
8 hours ago - Joe Biden -
Politics - Politico
Senior House Dem joins calls for Eric Adams to resign
3 days ago -
Politics - Politico
Trump shooting task force emphasizes Secret Service failures in first hearing
4 days ago - Donald Trump -
Politics - Politico
Gaetz says he will no longer voluntarily cooperate with House Ethics probe
4 days ago -
Politics - Politico
Tlaib calls on Blinken to resign over statements related to Israel-Hamas war
4 days ago - Israel