Marco Rubio, nominee for U.S. Secretary of State, argued that Washington must adopt a firm stance on ending the war in Ukraine, rather than letting it drag on indefinitely.
During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on January 15, Rubio outlined his approach to resolving the Ukraine conflict if confirmed to lead the State Department under President-elect Donald Trump.
Rubio criticized the Biden administration's handling of the war, stating that it lacked clear objectives. "The Biden administration never articulated an end goal for this conflict. What exactly are we funding? What are we paying for?" Rubio asked. "They’ve repeatedly said the war will last as long as it needs to. That’s neither realistic nor wise."
This marks a significant shift from President Joe Biden's approach, which pledged unwavering support to Ukraine "for as long as it takes."
Ukraine's Challenges and a Call for Diplomacy
Rubio argued that no amount of U.S. and allied aid could sustain Ukraine's fight indefinitely. "Ukraine’s problem isn’t running out of money; it’s running out of people," he said, adding that neither side could achieve a decisive victory. "Russia cannot control the vast expanse of Ukraine, and Ukraine cannot push Russia out of the territories it currently holds."
He emphasized the need for bold diplomacy, requiring compromises from both Kyiv and Moscow, to bring the war to an end. However, Rubio admitted he had not yet formulated a comprehensive plan for achieving this.
A Shift from Biden’s Foreign Policy
Rubio also dismissed one of Biden’s cornerstone foreign policy principles: the U.S.-led, rules-based international order. Instead, he championed Trump’s "America First" policy, calling the post-World War II global order "outdated and weaponized against us."
Rubio identified China as "the most powerful and dangerous peer competitor" the U.S. has ever faced, warning of significant consequences if Washington failed to act.
"If America continues down its current path, within a decade, almost everything important in our lives—whether it's blood pressure medication or the movies we watch—will depend on China," he cautioned.
Rubio pledged to bolster Taiwan’s defense capabilities to deter military intervention by China. During his campaign, Trump questioned U.S. defense commitments to Taiwan, suggesting the island should pay more for American support.
Rubio’s Likely Confirmation
Rubio is expected to secure Senate confirmation, making him the first Latino to serve as U.S. Secretary of State.
While he did not explicitly mention the possibility of the U.S. leaving NATO, Rubio questioned whether America should remain the alliance’s principal defender or shift more responsibility to European nations.
He also expressed support for recent diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza while affirming steadfast support for Israel.
(According to AFP, CNN, AP)
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