Marco Rubio, Secretary of State has publicly criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after a heated discussion with Vice President JDVance and President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. This dispute was centered around differing views on the peace negotiations with Russia, and allegations of disrespect towards the U.S. government.
# The context: A disagreement over diplomacy and rare earth minerals
The disagreement, according to reports, arose because Vice President Vance was trying to draw attention to the Trump Administration‘s diplomatic effort to broker a peaceful agreement between Ukraine & Russia. Zelensky however questioned such diplomacy by referring to Russia’s previous history of breaching peace agreements with Ukraine.
Zelensky was reportedly accused of disrespect by President Trump when he interrupted him. Vance also echoed the sentiment by stating that Zelensky is campaigning in support of Democrats during the 2020 U.S. election, and is ungrateful to Trump for his past support. Trump ended the meeting abruptly, dismissing Zelensky and cancelling a press conference that was scheduled to sign a deal to grant the U.S. the access to Ukraine’s massive reserves of rare-earth minerals.
Trump and Zelensky separately addressed the Oval Office dispute.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Rubio’s criticism of Zelensky’s approach to peace negotiations
Rubio voiced disapproval over Zelensky’s behaviour in an exclusive interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. He stressed that Trump’s administration’s aim is to get Russia at the table for negotiations and to explore the possibilities of a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Zelensky openly voiced his concern about the U.S. effort to secure mining rights in Ukraine’s deposits of rare earth minerals, which he also alluded during the White House discussion. Rubio reiterated that it was the position of the Trump Administration that the deal on minerals would establish economic ties with Ukraine and the U.S., which in turn will deter further Russian aggression. Rubio also criticized Zelensky for his actions and said that they hindered the prospect of peace. According to Rubio’s assessment, President Trump is aiming at peace.
Rubio asked Zelensky for an apology for their unproductive discussion and being “antithetical.” Zelensky’s response to Vance about diplomatic solutions was a diversion that Rubio felt had no justification.
CNN shows clips of Zelenskyy thanking people. Rubio says Zelenskyy did not say thanks today, nor for the things Trump has done for Ukraine during his first term. pic.twitter.com/dyz3inqBPf
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 1, 2025
Rubio also criticised Zelensky for his focus on maximalism and public statements, saying that these tactics were counterproductive to meaningful negotiation. He also questioned Zelensky’s strategy for the long term, arguing that it is unrealistic to wait until Russia collapses and the current method is just prolonging a costly and bloody stalemate.
He said that he was firmly convinced that the only way to end this conflict is through real diplomacy and not by using aggressive rhetoric.
Rubio acknowledged that there is a possibility of a reconciliation between Trump Zelensky, but he stressed that Zelensky’s cooperation was required for the U.S. to support Ukraine.
Rubio dismissed Senator Lindsey Graham’s opinion that Zelensky must resign from his position if he is unable to mend the relationship with Trump as an emotional one. Rubio emphasized that Trump had said that Zelensky was welcome back once he’s ready to seek peace.
## Meeting Reactions
**Zelensky** addressed to the situation **wrote on X:** “”Thank you America, thank you for your support and this visit. America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you [POTUS]Congress and the American public. We are working to achieve a just and lasting Peace in Ukraine.
**Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina, during an appearance on Fox News:** “This was a missed opportunity, and the question for me for the Ukrainian people: I don’t know if Zelensky can ever get you to where you want to go with the United States. You need someone new if he doesn’t change dramatically.
**Rubio said on X:** “Thank you @POTUS for standing up for America in a way that no President has ever had the courage to do before. Thanks for placing America First. America is behind you!
**Piers Morgan wrote:** “The only winner from today’s Oval Office Debacle is Vladimir Putin… and anyone who thinks that is a good thing for the world is stunningly deluded.”
**John Bolton wrote:** “Trump has put the US on the wrong side of the Russia-Ukraine war and it’s shameful. It is becoming more difficult for him to reunite the West. The U.S. must convince its allies after his presidency that they can still count on us and are still normal citizens.”
What is Next for Zelensky?
Zelensky will travel to Britain to meet Prime Minister Keir starmer to try to gain the support of other allies. It is unclear what the long-term impact of Trump’s controversial meeting will be. It is evident that the repair of the relationship with Russia will be critical to maintaining U.S. backing for Ukraine.