Rubio accuses Zelensky of "lying"

Ask AI · How do Rubio’s responses reflect the United States’ true stance on security guarantees for Ukraine?

Reference News Network reported on March 28 — According to a March 27 report by AFP, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio on March 27 accused Ukrainian President Zelensky of “lying,” after Zelensky said that the United States would make security guarantees to Ukraine conditional on Ukraine making territorial concessions to Russia.

After the conclusion of a G7 meeting near Paris, Rubio told the media: “This is a lie.” He said: “I saw him say it—what he said is regrettable because he knows it’s not true.”

In an interview with AFP, Ukraine’s president said the United States is pressuring Ukraine to completely withdraw its forces from its eastern Donbas region in order to end the war.

Rubio claimed: “We made it very clear to him: security guarantees would only come into effect after the war ends; otherwise we’d be dragged into the conflict.” The minister, who is typically seen as one of the most steadfast supporters of Ukraine within the Trump administration, added: “This did not attach conditions requiring him to cede territory… I don’t know why he said it. It’s not true.”

The Donbas region includes two areas: Luhansk and Donetsk. In Donetsk, less than 20% of the territory is currently still controlled by Ukrainian forces.

The report said Zelensky has recently been concerned that a conflict with Iran could divert attention from Washington and the international community.

Earlier the same day, Rubio also told the media that he does not rule out the possibility that weapons supplied to Ukraine could be redirected to meet U.S. needs in the Middle East conflict. (Compiled by/Pan Geping)