Rubio slams Zelenskyy’s Donbas comments and says US may divert Ukraine arms to Iran
Rubio slams Zelenskyy’s Donbas comments and says US may divert Ukraine arms to Iran
On Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of misrepresenting US demands regarding the Donbas region. During a press briefing in Paris following discussions with the Group of Seven industrialized nations, Rubio expressed a willingness to redirect arms originally intended for Ukraine to support Iran’s military efforts.
Zelenskyy had previously stated in an interview that the United States was urging Kyiv to surrender the eastern Donbas area to Russia before finalizing post-war security assurances. Rubio dismissed this claim, asserting it was untrue. “He knows that’s not accurate,” Rubio said, adding that the security guarantees would only activate after the war concluded, as ongoing conflict would otherwise involve the US in the conflict.
“That was not attached to, unless he gives up territory,” Rubio clarified. “I don’t know why he says these things. It’s not true.”
Rubio’s critique of Zelenskyy stood out given his prior role as a staunch advocate for Ukraine. Earlier, he had criticized the Ukrainian leader in a viral moment during a February 2025 meeting with President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, labeling him ungrateful for US aid. Despite his reputation as a Ukraine supporter, Rubio recently aligned with Trump’s stance, suggesting Zelenskyy should accept compromises and compare him unfavorably to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Rubio also hinted at potential shifts in aid strategy, stating that the US could divert weapons to Iran if necessary. “Nothing yet has been diverted, but it could,” he noted, emphasizing the priority of American interests. However, he confirmed that the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL)—a NATO initiative launched after Trump’s re-election—remains unchanged, with European allies continuing to fund US-sourced weapons for Kyiv.
