US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to issue an apology in the aftermath of a contentious meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. Rubio characterized the meeting as a 'fiasco' and raised doubts about Zelensky's commitment to achieving peace in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
In an exclusive interview, Rubio expressed his disappointment with Zelensky's approach during the meeting, which reportedly escalated into a heated exchange. Rubio criticized Zelensky for what he perceived as unnecessary antagonism, stating that such behavior could hinder diplomatic efforts.
'There was no need for him to go in there and become antagonistic,' Rubio remarked. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a constructive dialogue, particularly when engaging with a seasoned dealmaker like President Trump.
Rubio suggested that Zelensky's confrontational stance may signal a lack of genuine interest in pursuing a peace agreement. Despite Zelensky's public statements advocating for peace, Rubio questioned whether the Ukrainian leader's actions aligned with his professed intentions.
'When you start talking about that aggressively – and the president is a dealmaker, he made deals his entire life – you're not going to get people to the table,' Rubio explained. He highlighted the importance of fostering a conducive environment for negotiations and expressed concerns about Zelensky's approach.
The fallout from the Oval Office meeting has underscored the challenges facing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Rubio's call for Zelensky to apologize reflects growing tensions and skepticism surrounding the Ukrainian leader's commitment to achieving peace.
