Marco Rubio snaps on air over accusation that U.S. is appeasing Putin

In a recent appearance on ABC's This Week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in a heated exchange with host George Stephanopoulos regarding U.S. foreign policy and President Trump's approach to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Rubio dodged questions from Stephanopoulos and made an eyebrow-raising comparison between the war in Ukraine to conflicts in the Middle East.

Stephanopoulos pressed Rubio on the administration's stance toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, questioning why there seems to be a reluctance to criticize him directly. Rubio countered by emphasizing the importance of focusing on actionable steps toward peace rather than engaging in rhetoric. He reiterated that the primary goal is to start negotiations, and that requires engaging all involved parties without resorting to name-calling.

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Rubio denies the ‘placating Putin’ allegations

During the interview, Stephanopoulos questioned Rubio about the United States' recent vote at the United Nations, pointing out that the U.S. sided with countries like North Korea, Russia, and Belarus, diverging from its traditional Western allies. Stephanoplos asked, “Why is it OK to call President Zelensky a dictator, but not, as you say, call Vladimir Putin names?”

Rubio responded by emphasizing the administration's commitment to ending the war through diplomatic means, stating that labeling leaders isn't conducive to peace efforts. He argued that the U.N.'s role is to promote peace, and that the resolution in question aimed to encourage negotiations without antagonizing any party. “The job of the U.N. is to bring about peace in the world,” Rubio stated.

Rubio defends Trump's peace efforts

The conversation took a notable turn when Rubio suggested that President Trump's peace initiatives would be more widely praised if he were a Democrat. He contended that the media's criticism is largely partisan, stating, “If this was a Democrat that was doing this, everyone would be saying, 'Well, he's on his way to the Nobel Peace Prize.' This is absurd.”

Rubio also highlighted Trump's proactive approach to bringing both Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table, emphasizing that peace cannot be achieved without dialogue. He noted that the administration is committed to facilitating discussions to end the conflict, asserting that without such efforts, the likelihood of peace remains minimal.