Rubio: No Military Solution in Ukraine, War Must End in Negotiated Settlement
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated during a Senate hearing that there is “no military solution” to the war in Ukraine and that it must eventually end in a negotiated settlement. His remarks followed discussions on continued U.S. and NATO military assistance to Ukraine, including possible transfers of Patriot systems from allied countries, The Gaze reports.
“On the issue of Ukraine, here’s what we can all agree on,” Rubio said. “There is no military solution to this crisis. It will have to end in a negotiated settlement. And the fundamental challenge we have in Ukraine is this: Russia wants what they do not currently have and are not entitled to. And Ukraine wants what they cannot regain militarily. And that’s been the crux of the challenge.”
Rubio clarified that the United States currently does not have Patriot missile units available for Ukraine but is working “closely with NATO allies that could provide a transfer.”
His comments prompted sharp criticism from Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who accused Rubio and President Donald Trump of undermining Ukraine’s position ahead of possible negotiations.
“I want to move to Ukraine because we heard the conversation that the president had with Vladimir Putin. The phone conversation where Putin didn’t agree to any meaningful negotiation that would end this war in Ukraine. As President Trump has admitted, Vladimir Putin is taking him for a ride,” Shaheen said.
Rubio firmly rejected the claim. “I would also make this point, and it’s important: every single sanction, not one sanction has been lifted on the Russians. Every single sanction that was in place under the previous administration remains in place. So this idea we’ve given up leverage … we have the same leverage today we had under the previous administration,” he responded.
Shaheen argued the U.S. has surrendered leverage by removing NATO membership for Ukraine from the table and backing off commitments to provide intelligence and military support. She asked Rubio whether he was prepared to support another supplemental funding bill for Ukraine.
“Well, that’s a different decision. That’s a different question. That’s not up for me to decide,” Rubio answered. “The White House would have to make a determination about whether to come to Congress for a supplemental.”
As The Gaze previously reported, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately start negotiations” for a ceasefire and a potential end to the war, following a two-hour phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Monday.