Washington, March 1, 2025 – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to apologize for his heated confrontation with President Donald Trump during their Oval Office meeting. The remarks come amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Washington and Kyiv, with questions now swirling over the future of U.S. support for Ukraine.
Speaking to CNN, Rubio criticized Zelensky’s handling of the meeting, suggesting the Ukrainian leader should “apologize for wasting our time for a meeting that was going to end the way it did.”
Doubts Over Zelensky’s Intentions :
Rubio went further, casting doubt on Zelensky’s commitment to ending the war with Russia.
“You start to perceive that maybe Zelensky doesn’t want a peace deal. He says he does, but maybe he doesn’t, and that active, open, undermining of efforts to bring about peace is deeply frustrating for everyone who’s been involved,” he said.
The comments mark a significant shift in rhetoric from Washington, where previous administrations had largely stood by Ukraine’s position of refusing any territorial concessions to Russia.
Background: The Trump-Zelensky Showdown
The Oval Office confrontation on Friday saw Trump and Vice President JD Vance berating Zelensky, accusing him of being “ungrateful” for U.S. aid and demanding he negotiate a truce with Russia. When Zelensky pushed back, calling for “no compromises with a killer on our territory,” the meeting spiraled into a shouting match, leading to his abrupt departure from the White House.
Trump later declared Zelensky “not ready for peace” and canceled a minerals deal meant to incentivize negotiations. The fallout has alarmed European allies, with Britain, Poland, and Italy rushing to reaffirm their support for Ukraine.
What This Means for Ukraine:
Rubio’s remarks reinforce fears that Trump’s administration is preparing to scale back U.S. support unless Ukraine agrees to a compromise with Russia. This shift could significantly alter the dynamics of the war, potentially forcing Kyiv to seek greater reliance on European partners.
Meanwhile, Russian officials have celebrated the rift between Washington and Kyiv, further complicating diplomatic efforts to maintain Western unity against Moscow’s aggression.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are now on Zelensky’s response—will he attempt to mend ties with Trump, or will Ukraine chart a more independent course as it fights for survival?
