Rubio refutes Zelensky's remarks on Donbas: That's a "lie"

Ask AI · As a pro-Ukraine representative, Rubio strongly responds to hints about how U.S.-Ukraine relations could evolve?

【Global Times report by reporter Suo Yanqi】According to reports by Agence France-Presse and the Associated Press, on the 27th local time, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio rejected statements by Ukrainian President Zelensky to the effect that “the United States proposes that Ukraine cede the Donbas region in exchange for U.S. security guarantees,” saying that it was “a lie.”

It was reported that earlier, in an interview with Reuters, Zelensky said that the United States is pressuring Ukraine and is proposing that the latter transfer the Donbas region to Russia in exchange for the United States providing security guarantees for Ukraine in a peace agreement.

On March 27 local time, Rubio made remarks to the media at Bourget Airport in the Paris suburbs. Photo source: foreign media

After attending the Group of Seven (G7) meeting in Paris, Rubio was asked by reporters about Zelensky’s claim and said, “That’s a lie.” “I saw him say those words, and it’s unfortunate that he would say that, because he knows that it isn’t true.” Rubio added, “What he has been told is obvious: security guarantees only take effect after the war ends; otherwise, you are effectively putting yourself into the war.”

The Associated Press said that the Office of the President of Ukraine declined to comment on the conflicting statements between the two sides of the U.S. and Ukraine.

Agence France-Presse said that Rubio’s criticism of Zelensky drew particular attention because he is widely seen as one of the people in U.S. President Trump’s circle who is more supportive of Ukraine. The outlet noted that last February, Trump and U.S. Vice President Vance had a heated argument in front of the media with Zelensky during his visit to the White House, where Trump and Vance then criticized Zelensky for not knowing how to be grateful, while Rubio, who was also at the scene, looked “grim.”