Rubio mentioned he believes that the connection between Trump and Zelenskyy will be repaired, if Ukraine needs to attain a permanent and lasting peace.
Zelenskyy ought to apologise for “turning this factor into the fiasco for him that it grew to become,” he mentioned. “There was no want for him to go in there and change into antagonistic.”
The aim of the assembly was to finalize an financial settlement for the USA to realize entry to Ukraine’s pure sources. That deal by no means got here to be.
In an unique interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Rubio elucidated his view on the breakdown in negotiations, Trump’s intentions to finish the battle with Russia, and what Zelenskyy ought to do subsequent.
“We’ve defined very clearly what our plan is right here, which is we wish to get the Russians to a negotiating desk,” Rubio mentioned. “We wish to discover whether or not peace is feasible.”
He mentioned the settlement that was alleged to be signed Friday would have sure America to Ukraine economically, which Rubio mentioned is a safety assure. However, for the previous 10 days, Ukraine has difficult the negotiations.
“This settlement might have been signed 5 days in the past, however they insisted on coming to Washington,” Rubio mentioned, noting that Zelenskyy got here to Washington and lectured Trump on diplomacy.
“President Zelenskyy took it in that course, and it led to a predictable consequence in consequence,” he mentioned, calling it unlucky and suggesting it set the peace negotiations again. “There was no want for him to go in there and change into antagonistic.”
Rubio reiterated that the battle should come to an finish. “The way in which you carry it to an finish is you get Russia to the desk to speak.”
As an alternative, Rubio mentioned, Zelenskyy attacked Russian President Vladimir Putin, and tried to goad Trump into doing the identical. “And so that you begin to understand that possibly Zelenskyy doesn’t need a peace deal,” mentioned Rubio, who underscored the administration’s technique can be to belief, however confirm that the Russian aspect legitimately wished to carry the battle to an finish.
Rubio mentioned he has requested folks in regards to the European plan for ending the battle. “I can inform you what one international minister advised me—and I’m not going to say who it was—however I can inform you what one in every of them advised me. And that’s that the battle goes on for an additional yr, and at that time, Russia will really feel so weakened that they will beg for a peace.”
Rubio doesn’t view that as a practical plan. “And so, if there’s an opportunity of peace, even when it’s a 1 p.c likelihood, that must be explored. And that’s what President Trump is attempting to do right here.”
Rubio mentioned that beneath President Biden, the USA was funding a stalemate. “We have been funding a meat grinder. And, sadly, for the Ukrainians, the Russians have extra meat to grind, they usually don’t care about human life.”
Rubio mentioned the negotiations usually are not a political marketing campaign. “That is excessive stakes worldwide diplomacy, and an effort to result in an finish to a really, very harmful battle.”
CNN’s Collins famous that, prior to now, Rubio has known as Putin a battle prison and a butcher. “And, at this second, as Secretary of State, my job working for the President is to ship peace,” Rubio replied. “To finish this battle and finish this battle. In the end, that’s the job of the State Division.”
Rubio expressed discontent over studies that the USA has not coordinated with the Ukrainians on negotiations. “That’s completely false,” he mentioned. “Over the past 10 days, the Ukrainians have met with the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of State, the Vice President of the USA, had a cellphone name with President Trump, and he was within the Oval Workplace in the present day. I’ve talked to the international minister of Ukraine 3 times within the final 10 days.”
The assembly ended in the present day in a deep sense of frustration, Rubio mentioned. He hopes the scenario will be reset, and that maturity and pragmatism can kick in, “Tonight, folks will die in Ukraine. Tonight, folks will die on this battle. We’re attempting to carry an finish to this battle, which is unsustainable.”
Trump must be given the chance to finish the battle, Rubio mentioned. He believes that the connection between Trump and Zelenskyy will be repaired, if Ukraine needs to attain a permanent and lasting peace.