Media: Mistrust Arising from the Ukraine War? Rubio Furious in Response to EU Question

At Friday's G7 foreign ministers' meeting, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas questioned U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on when the United States would take a tougher stance against Russia, prompting an intense rebuttal from Rubio.

According to attendees, during discussions on Ukraine, Kallas—known for her hardline stance toward Russia and formerly Prime Minister of Estonia—criticized the United States for not exerting greater pressure on Moscow. She pointed out that a year ago, Rubio had stated at the same forum that if Russia obstructed U.S. efforts to end the war, America would "lose patience and take further measures." Kallas bluntly asked: "A year has passed, and Russia hasn't moved. When will America’s patience run out?"

In response, Rubio clearly became annoyed, raising his voice to assert that the U.S. was "doing its utmost to end the war." He said: "If you think you can do better, then go ahead—we’ll step aside." He also emphasized that the U.S. was attempting to communicate with both sides but could currently only support Ukraine through weapons, intelligence, and other forms of assistance.

Subsequently, several European foreign ministers stepped in, reiterating their hope that the U.S. would continue pushing for diplomatic negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. At the conclusion of the meeting, Rubio and Kallas engaged in a brief private conversation to ease the tense atmosphere.

A U.S. State Department official told reporters afterward that the exchange was merely a "frank exchange of views"—which is precisely what diplomacy entails. After the meeting, Rubio denied any tension or criticism, stating that the session was instead a gesture of thanks and recognition for the U.S. role in the Ukraine conflict, and stressed, "No one raised their voice or made negative remarks."

However, from a broader perspective, European leaders have long harbored concerns about American-led peace talks. Recent developments in the Middle East, particularly regarding Iran, have heightened European fears of a shift in U.S. diplomatic focus. Additionally, the U.S. exemption allowing continued Russian oil sales has further fueled European unease.

Ukraine itself has also indicated limited progress in recent negotiations, especially as U.S. attention turns toward Iran, leaving Kyiv feeling sidelined. Analysts point out that this public clash between Kallas and Rubio reflects clear divisions between the U.S. and Europe on Russia policy and the Ukraine issue, underscoring growing challenges to trust among transatlantic allies.

Source: rfi

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860906709226508/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.