Podcast Appearances
But Rubio said there are even larger goals here and they include trying to normalize and stabilize the U.S.-Russia relationship. looking for ways to possibly improve economic and geopolitical ties. And Sarah, I can't emphasize enough, this is absolutely a 180-degree turn from what we've seen under the Biden administration.
And this is happening quickly, lots of moving parts, and it's really the first major foreign policy initiative in the Trump administration. And let's listen to what Secretary of State Rubio had to say.
And this is happening quickly, lots of moving parts, and it's really the first major foreign policy initiative in the Trump administration. And let's listen to what Secretary of State Rubio had to say.
And this is happening quickly, lots of moving parts, and it's really the first major foreign policy initiative in the Trump administration. And let's listen to what Secretary of State Rubio had to say.
Yeah, highly unusual. You would be looking or expecting it to be on some neutral ground or semi-neutral ground in Europe, especially when you're talking about the war in Ukraine. But, you know, President Trump just does things differently. And it looks like perhaps a couple issues at work here. We saw Vice President J.D. Vance
Yeah, highly unusual. You would be looking or expecting it to be on some neutral ground or semi-neutral ground in Europe, especially when you're talking about the war in Ukraine. But, you know, President Trump just does things differently. And it looks like perhaps a couple issues at work here. We saw Vice President J.D. Vance
Yeah, highly unusual. You would be looking or expecting it to be on some neutral ground or semi-neutral ground in Europe, especially when you're talking about the war in Ukraine. But, you know, President Trump just does things differently. And it looks like perhaps a couple issues at work here. We saw Vice President J.D. Vance
be sharply critical in a speech in Europe, of Europe, saying that it wasn't doing what it needed to do. So at one level, having this meeting in Saudi seems another jab at Europe, a message that European states don't need to be deeply involved. Again, a sharp contrast to the Biden administration, which built a coalition of 50 countries, mostly European, to assist Ukraine.
be sharply critical in a speech in Europe, of Europe, saying that it wasn't doing what it needed to do. So at one level, having this meeting in Saudi seems another jab at Europe, a message that European states don't need to be deeply involved. Again, a sharp contrast to the Biden administration, which built a coalition of 50 countries, mostly European, to assist Ukraine.
be sharply critical in a speech in Europe, of Europe, saying that it wasn't doing what it needed to do. So at one level, having this meeting in Saudi seems another jab at Europe, a message that European states don't need to be deeply involved. Again, a sharp contrast to the Biden administration, which built a coalition of 50 countries, mostly European, to assist Ukraine.
They gather monthly, either in person or virtually, to talk about or coordinate efforts on Ukraine.
They gather monthly, either in person or virtually, to talk about or coordinate efforts on Ukraine.
They gather monthly, either in person or virtually, to talk about or coordinate efforts on Ukraine.
And of course, Franco, what you said is very much the fear of Ukraine, saying that the initial war began in 2014. It did halt, but it just allowed Russia to rearm and prepare for a much larger invasion later, which came in 2022. So this really is a great Ukrainian fear in the past, and it continues to be now. A European fear. Oh, absolutely.
And of course, Franco, what you said is very much the fear of Ukraine, saying that the initial war began in 2014. It did halt, but it just allowed Russia to rearm and prepare for a much larger invasion later, which came in 2022. So this really is a great Ukrainian fear in the past, and it continues to be now. A European fear. Oh, absolutely.
And of course, Franco, what you said is very much the fear of Ukraine, saying that the initial war began in 2014. It did halt, but it just allowed Russia to rearm and prepare for a much larger invasion later, which came in 2022. So this really is a great Ukrainian fear in the past, and it continues to be now. A European fear. Oh, absolutely.
And that was exactly the kind of phrase that the Biden administration would use, nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, that they would be there. And again, we've just seen this complete flipping of the way things are done with the Biden administration, working very closely with Ukraine to put pressure on Russia.
And that was exactly the kind of phrase that the Biden administration would use, nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, that they would be there. And again, we've just seen this complete flipping of the way things are done with the Biden administration, working very closely with Ukraine to put pressure on Russia.
And that was exactly the kind of phrase that the Biden administration would use, nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, that they would be there. And again, we've just seen this complete flipping of the way things are done with the Biden administration, working very closely with Ukraine to put pressure on Russia.
Now, the Trump administration is sort of working initially with Russia, and Ukraine feels very very much under pressure. We did hear Marco Rubio say no one is being sidelined. Ukraine will be included. But the Ukrainians are certainly not feeling that at the moment and are feeling very, very nervous.