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Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed his gratitude to President Donald Trump after the heated meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, held this Friday at the White House.
The meeting was marked by accusations, shouting, and exchanging blame between Zelensky and Trump; and despite the failure of negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine, Rubio defended Washington's stance.
During the meeting, there was a strong altercation when the president of Ukraine directly rejected the mediation of the United States in resolving the conflict with Russia.
Trump expressed that Zelensky "is not ready for peace if the United States is involved."
After that tense exchange, Rubio did not hesitate to show his support for Trump, who stated on his social media platform Truth Social that the U.S. involvement in the negotiations was viewed by Zelenski as an advantage in the talks, preventing him from advancing toward a peaceful solution.
Washington emphasized that its priority is to achieve peace, not to seek strategic advantages, and harshly criticized Zelenski for what it deemed a disrespect towards the United States.
Shortly after Trump's statement, Rubio used his account on X to support the decisions of the White House. "Thank you, President of the United States, for defending the United States in a way that no president has had the courage to do before. Thank you for putting the United States first. America is with you!" he wrote.
Despite these statements, the new Secretary of State appeared quite uncomfortable during the meeting with the representatives from Ukraine.
However, shortly after Zelensky left the venue, he posted a conciliatory message on his X account: "Thank you, United States, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, to Congress and the American people. Ukraine needs a just and lasting peace, and we are working precisely to achieve it."
The meeting has made international headlines today, and several Ukrainian media outlets supported Zelenski, especially after recent reports of an unexpected rapprochement between Moscow and Washington.
The Ukrainian journalist Illia Ponomarenko stated that the stance of the White House was "simply shameful" and "all of this is happening in front of the whole world, before the global press, live. They are doing everything they can to break Zelenski."
Officials in Ukraine also responded: "We have been closely watching the events in Washington. England had Richard the Lionheart; we have Volodymyr the Lionheart," said Maksym Kozytsky, head of the regional administration in the western region of Lviv.
The White House, for its part, issued a statement asserting that "Trump and Vice President JD Vance will always defend the interests of the American people and those who respect the position of the United States in the world."
He also mentioned Trump during the meeting, where he told the Ukrainian leader: "Let me tell you, you don’t have the cards. With us, you have the cards, but without us, you have none."
Frequently Asked Questions about the meeting between Trump, Zelenski, and Marco Rubio
Why did Marco Rubio thank Trump after the meeting with Zelensky?
Marco Rubio thanked Trump for his stance during the tense meeting with Zelensky, in which he asserted that the United States was not seeking strategic advantages but rather peace. Rubio emphasized that Trump had defended the United States in a courageous manner, putting the country first.
What happened during the meeting between Trump and Zelenski at the White House?
During the meeting, a tense altercation occurred between Trump and Zelenski, with insults and mutual accusations. Trump asserted that Zelenski was not ready for peace if the United States was involved, as he believed that U.S. participation gave him an advantage in the negotiations.
What was Zelenski's reaction after the meeting with Trump?
Zelensky expressed gratitude for the support of the United States and reaffirmed his commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. Despite the tensions, he thanked Congress and the American people for their ongoing support.
What is Marco Rubio's stance on the conflict in Ukraine?
Marco Rubio has stated that only Trump can achieve peace in Ukraine. He pointed out that Trump is the only leader capable of bringing together the conflicting parties and moving towards a peaceful solution, highlighting the diplomatic skills of the U.S. president.
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