Secretary of State delivers Trump terrible news he was dreading

rubio

Not all is sunshine in the second Trump admin. There’s trouble on the horizon.

Because the Secretary of State has delivered Trump the terrible news he never wanted to hear.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio Splits From Trump, Says Ukraine War Is Not Close To End

Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently commented that much work remains in securing a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, creating a gap between what Rubio sees on the horizon and what Donald Trump would like accomplished as soon as possible. He remarked that the road to peace is still long, despite some initial steps toward negotiations.

Rubio confirmed that this week, former President Donald Trump held a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He stated, “I can tell you that Donald Trump is the only leader in the world that could potentially begin that process. Other leaders have tried. They have not been able to do so. When he ran in his campaign and he was elected as president, one of his promises was, he would work to bring an end to this conflict in a way that’s sustainable and fair,” during an appearance on *Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan* on Sunday.

While acknowledging that much work remains ahead, Rubio emphasized that the first steps had been taken. “And, obviously, you know, this is the first step in that process, but we have a long ways to go. Again, one call doesn’t make it. One meeting wouldn’t make it. This – there’s a lot of work to be done. But I – I thought it has – you know, even the longest journey begins with the first step,” Rubio said.

The Secretary of State also explained that Putin expressed to Trump his interest in peace, and that Trump conveyed his desire to see an end to the conflict that not only respects Ukrainian sovereignty but also ensures long-lasting peace. Rubio noted, “the president expressed his desire to see an end to this conflict in a way that was enduring and that protected Ukrainian sovereignty, and that was an enduring peace, not that we’re going to have another invasion in three or four years.”

On the topic of potential future discussions between U.S. and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia regarding Ukraine, Rubio remained cautious, saying, “Nothing has been finalized.” He did not clarify on the topic further with reporters when asked later.

Alongside that, Rubio’s diplomatic trip to the Middle East has included several key discussions. His visit marks his first to the region as Secretary of State. He began his trip in Israel, where his team advocated for the commencement of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire. These discussions have been scheduled ahead of the upcoming expiration of the current ceasefire agreement, which began on January 19 and is set to end in mid-February. According to the original deal, talks for the second phase of the ceasefire were slated to begin on February 3.

Rubio’s visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is also crucial as these Gulf states seek to establish themselves as mediators between the U.S. and Russia. Both nations have longstanding ties with the U.S. military and business dealings with Trump’s family, as well as significant relationships with Russia, especially in the oil sector.

While in Saudi Arabia, Rubio, along with National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, held talks with a Russian delegation led by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential advisor Yuri Ushakov. The Kremlin indicated that these discussions were aimed at laying the groundwork for a potential meeting between Trump and Putin and exploring potential paths to a peace agreement concerning Ukraine. This comes after a more than hour-long phone conversation between Trump and Putin earlier this week.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is not represented in the upcoming meetings in Saudi Arabia. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was present in the UAE, preparing for an expected visit to Saudi Arabia later in the week.

Rubio’s Middle East visit also coincided with the release of three Israeli hostages, including an American-Israeli dual citizen, by Hamas. This exchange was part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The deal, which is set to expire in two weeks, also involved the release of over 300 Palestinian prisoners and detainees. Many of the released Palestinians were held without charge or for less severe offenses, though others had been convicted of violent crimes. The Trump administration has advocated for extending the ceasefire until all hostages are returned.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met with Rubio during the visit, lauded the U.S.-Israel relationship under Trump, stating that their discussions centered on completing a transformation in the Middle East.

The Federalist Wire will update you on any news from the office of the U.S. Secretary of State.

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