Transcript: Secretary of State Marco Rubio on

The next is the transcript of an interview with Secretary of State Marco Rubio that can air on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on Could 18, 2025.

MARGARET BRENNAN:  And becoming a member of us now’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio from Rome. Mr. Secretary, you have had a really busy week. I do know you have got been on the Vatican, and so they have provided to host a direct assembly between Ukraine and Russia. Provided that Vladimir Putin was a no present on the talks he referred to as for in Istanbul this previous week, is there motive to imagine that he’ll take up Pope Leo on the provide?

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO: Nicely, I feel if you happen to saw- once more, I am not a spokesperson for the Kremlin, however if you happen to noticed their statements, I imagine yesterday, the place they mentioned that they might be open to such a gathering below the fitting circumstances. So we’ll wait and see if that is attainable. Clearly, the Vatican has made a really beneficiant provide to host something, by the way in which, not only a assembly between Zelenskyy and Putin, however any assembly, together with at a technical degree, you recognize, any conferences that- that should be hosted, they- they’ve expressed a willingness to take action. So it is a very beneficiant provide which may be taken up on. I imply, it might be a web site that every one events would really feel comfy. So hopefully we’ll get to that stage where- the place talks are occurring regularly and that the Vatican may have the chance to be {one of the} choices.

MARGARET BRENNAN:  The Russian International Ministry is saying that you just initiated a name to your Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on Saturday. What was that about? Are you speaking about lining up that face-to-face assembly between President Putin and President Trump?

SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, we talked about a wide range of issues. We did discuss about- I wished to get his readout on his view of how the talks went yesterday. There- they weren’t a whole waste of time. For instance, there have been 1,000 prisoners which can be going to be exchanged, and that, from a humanitarian standpoint, may be very constructive. He defined to me that they will be pre- making ready a doc outlining their necessities for a cease-fire that might then result in broader negotiations. So clearly, the Ukrainian aspect goes to be engaged on their very own proposal, and hopefully that can be forthcoming quickly. And if that does occur, and the proposal that comes ahead from the Russian aspect and- and for that matter, from the Ukrainian aspect, are proposals which can be severe and viable, then there’s been actual progress, and we are able to work off of that. So we’ll have to attend and see. However he wished me to know, and he communicated in our name, that they are- their aspect can be engaged on a sequence of concepts and necessities that they might have to be able to transfer ahead with a cease-fire and additional negotiations. So we’ll await that, and hopefully it is one- it is a doc that’s shut sufficient to what the Ukrainians need to have the ability to get to that time and possibly work out these variations.

MARGARET BRENNAN:  You have mentioned repeatedly it is only a matter of days, although, by way of the waning persistence that the U.S. has for this diplomacy to succeed. So are- are they only tapping you alongside, as President Trump has mentioned? Are they only searching for to talk- Are they only searching for to proceed to speak to purchase time?

SEC. RUBIO:  Nicely, that is what we’re testing. And that is what we’ll know. Look, on the finish of the day what I’ve mentioned, and it is occurring now, we’re now not flying everywhere in the world attempting to arrange conferences. We’re responding to conferences which can be arrange and we’re willing- we at all times mentioned we’re prepared to do no matter it takes to deliver them collectively if the alternatives current themselves. So I feel your query is, are they tapping us alongside? Nicely, that is what we’re looking for out. We’ll discover out fairly quickly. They met last- yesterday or the day earlier than in Turkey. From that they agreed they will alternate paper on concepts that get to a cease-fire. If these papers have concepts on them which can be real looking and rational, then I feel we all know we have made progress. If these papers, alternatively, have necessities in them that we all know are unrealistic, then we’ll have a unique evaluation. So, we will attempt to discover that out. And there is a mixture right here. On the one hand, we’re attempting to attain peace and finish a really bloody, expensive and damaging struggle. So there’s some aspect of persistence that’s required. Then again, we do not have time to waste. There are a whole lot of different issues occurring on the planet that we additionally should be being attentive to. So we do not wish to be concerned on this means of simply countless talks, there needs to be some progress, some motion ahead. And if on the finish of this, within the subsequent few days, we get a doc produced by each side, and it reveals that each side are being- making concessions and being real looking and rational of their strategy, then I feel we are able to be ok with persevering with to stay engaged. If, alternatively, what we see just isn’t very productive, maybe we’ll have a unique evaluation. I additionally agree that finally, {one of the} issues that might assist break this log jam, maybe the one factor that may, is a direct- direct dialog between President Trump and Vladimir Putin. And he is already overtly expressed a want and a perception that that should occur, and- and hopefully that’ll be labored out quickly as properly.

MARGARET BRENNAN:  You are planning on that?

SEC. RUBIO:  Nicely, I do not know. We’re- we’re definitely made the provide. The president’s made that provide already publicly. The mechanics of setting that sort of assembly up would require a bit bit of labor, so I am unable to say that is being deliberate as we communicate by way of selecting a web site and a date. However the president desires to do it. He desires to do it as quickly as- as possible. I feel the Russian aspect has additionally expressed a willingness to do it. And so, now it is only a query of bringing them- bringing everybody collectively, and determining the place and when and that assembly will occur and what it is going to be about.

MARGARET BRENNAN:  Yeah, I- I wish to transfer on to different subjects. However lastly, your- your Senate- former senate colleague, Lindsey Graham, was subsequent to you in that assembly with the Ukrainian international minister. He has a- he has a veto-proof majority on this invoice to place sanctions on Russia. How shortly would you like the choice for extra sanctions on Russia? Or are you asking him to attend?

SEC. RUBIO:  No, we’re not- look, the Senate goes to behave, finally. I imply, I feel previously, we have act- requested to present us a bit time to see if we are able to make some progress on our talks. However we have additionally been fairly clear with the Russian aspect for weeks now, going again six or seven weeks. We have been speaking to the Russian aspect that this effort was- was being undertaken. That we anticipated that when all was mentioned and executed, it might have near 80 cosponsors within the Senate, and I think about a comparable proportion of assist within the Home, that that was an effort we could not cease and do not management, that finally, Congress and notably the Republicans within the Home and Senate, have tried to present the president area and time to barter one thing right here. However we’ve- we have suggested the Russians repeatedly now for nearly two months that this was coming if no progress was made. So I feel that is simply coming to fruition now. And it is one in all the- {one of the} issues that I confirmed, once more, being with Lindsey Graham this week in Turkey, is that they’re now as much as 77. He thinks they might get near 80 or extra. And that is just- that is only a reality, and one thing we have instructed the Russians about for weeks was coming.

MARGARET BRENNAN: I wish to transfer on to a different a part of the world. You have been very concerned within the administration’s efforts to crack down on this Venezuelan gang, TdA, that has been designated as a terror group by the U.S. Do you settle for the intelligence group’s evaluation that the Venezuelan gang just isn’t a proxy power of the Maduro authorities? That was the Nationwide Intelligence Council evaluation.

SEC. RUBIO:  Yeah, that is their evaluation. They’re incorrect. In reality, the FBI agrees with me that they’re. We- we- the FBI agrees that not solely is Tren de Aragua exported by the Venezuelan regime, however actually, if you happen to return and see a Tren de Aragua member, all of the proof is there, and it is rising on daily basis, was really contracted to homicide an opposition member, I imagine, in Chile a number of months in the past. So {one of the} warnings on the market by the FBI just isn’t merely that Tren de Aragua are- are a terrorist group, however one which has already been operationalized, to homicide a- to homicide a- an- an opposition member overseas.

MARGARET BRENNAN: However that is a unique factor than being a proxy power managed by the Maduro authorities. A part of that is on the coronary heart of the authorized arguments the administration is having over its potential to proceed to deport suspected gang members. That is why this evaluation is so key. You fully reject that intelligence– 

SEC. RUBIO:  There- there–

MARGARET BRENNAN: –community discovering?

SEC. RUBIO:  Yeah, I agree 100% with the FBI’s discovering. This can be a jail gang that the Venezuelan authorities has actively inspired to depart the nation. A jail gang that, in some circumstances, they have been in cooperation- and by the way in which, Tren de Aragua members which were returned to Venezuela on a few of these planes which have gone again have been greeted like heroes on the airport. So we have now little doubt, I’ve little doubt and the FBI has made clear, I imply, that is the gang that they employed so as to- to homicide an opposition member overseas. So that they- they- there is not any doubt in our thoughts, and in my thoughts, and within the FBI’s evaluation that this can be a group that the regime in Venezuela makes use of, not simply to attempt to destabilize america, however to undertaking energy, like they did by murdering a member of the opposition in Chile.

MARGARET BRENNAN:  South Africa’s president is touring to america this week to satisfy with President Trump. The administration has prioritized bringing some white South Africans, Afrikaners, to america, regardless of the elevated restrictions on refugees. President Trump claims there is a genocide underway in South Africa. That is a authorized dedication, the State Division would make it. Are you attempting to find out that now?

SEC. RUBIO: I’d decide that these individuals are having their properties taken from them. You possibly can- they will name it no matter they need, however these are folks that, on the idea of their race, are having their properties taken away from them, and their lives being threatened and, in some circumstances, killed. These are folks that utilized and made these claims of their functions and search to come back to america in search of- of refuge. I- we have usually been lectured by individuals everywhere about how america must proceed to be a beacon for individuals who are oppressed overseas. Nicely, this is an instance the place we’re doing that. So I do not perceive why individuals are criticizing it. I feel individuals ought to be celebrating it, and I feel individuals ought to be supporting it–  

(CROSSTALK)

MARGARET BRENNAN: Nicely is there evidence– 

SEC. RUBIO: If actually as many declare, they’re in favor–

MARGARET BRENNAN: –of a genocide that you’ve?

(END CROSSTALK)

SEC. RUBIO: I feel there’s proof, completely, that folks have been murdered, that folks have been forcibly faraway from their properties, each by the federal government, in some circumstances due to a regulation they handed, but in addition due to impartial teams inspired by political events inside South- inside South Africa. So, pay attention, to maneuver right here from half a world away and go away behind the one homeland you have ever recognized, that is not one thing individuals do lightly–

MARGARET BRENNAN: No. 

SEC. RUBIO: –especially individuals who have spent generations farming their land and creating their property. That is not one thing that you just take flippantly and do. These individuals are doing it for a motive. So we welcome them to america, and I feel there could also be extra coming quickly.

MARGARET BRENNAN:  We are going to stand by to see if that dedication of genocide is made. I wish to ask you concerning the Center East. The president says he desires to finish wars, however Israel’s prime minister has mentioned he’s increasing this floor operation inside Gaza, the IDF says is to grab strategic areas. Does the U.S. absolutely assist increasing this struggle?

SEC. RUBIO:  We develop the destruction of Hamas, the ending of Hamas. We assist a future for the individuals of Gaza that is freed from Hamas and filled with alternative. That is what we assist. And this can be a group that got here throughout on October 7 and carried out some of the vile sequence of assaults, kidnappings, rapes, murders and hostage taking that we have ever seen. That is what we assist. Now that mentioned, we additionally assist an finish of the battle, a cease-fire. We do not need individuals clearly struggling as they’ve, and we blame Hamas for that, however nonetheless, they’re struggling. And so we’re actively engaged, whilst I communicate to you now, we’re actively engaged in attempting to determine if there’s a approach to get extra hostages out via some cease-fire sort mechanism. We’re not going to do something to undermine Israel and its safety, however by the identical token, if there’s a risk right here to discover a approach ahead that frees extra hostages, together with those that are alive, but in addition the our bodies to their kin, and probably result in an finish to this struggle in a approach that places the individuals of Gaza on a pathway of peace and prosperity and being freed from Hamas, we will discover that. We predict we have made some progress, however there’s extra work to be executed. Ambassador Witkoff is engaged on that on an hourly foundation. It is one thing we’re all very centered on and proceed to be very supportive of. And I hope we’ll have excellent news quickly in that regard, however I feel some impediments stay. 

MARGARET BRENNAN: Are you asking Israel to decelerate this army push? And the Qatari prime minister instructed Fox Information that there was a deal being put collectively for all hostages, or many hostages, to be launched after Edan Alexander, that American-Israeli was launched not too long ago, however then the Israeli army bombed a hospital, killing 70 civilians, and every thing went sideways. Is that your understanding of what happened–

SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, I’d say that– 

MARGARET BRENNAN: –it was this lack of care of collateral harm?

SEC. RUBIO:  No, I- the way in which I’d characterize it’s that this struggle might finish instantly. And Israel’s made that clear, it will probably finish instantly if Hamas surrenders and offers up their weapons and demilitarizes and releases all of the hostages, together with the deceased ones. In the event that they did that, this battle would finish. That is been true from the very starting. It has been true for months now. They’re those which have chosen to not settle for that provide. That mentioned, we proceed to work and do every thing we are able to via diplomatic channels and personal means to result in an finish to this battle in a approach that ends Hamas and offers the individuals of Gaza the chance at a affluent and peaceable future that additionally ensures Israel’s safety. So we’re engaged on that, and we have by no means stopped engaged on that. We have by no means stopped taking efforts to make that attainable. And that continues. Whilst I communicate to you now, there are individuals engaged on that. So we will proceed to try this and that is the result we wish to see. And hopefully, the earlier the higher.

MARGARET BRENNAN:  Nicely, the president has mentioned Prime Minister Netanyahu did not wish to finish the struggle. So the views are quite–

SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, I feel what the–

MARGARET BRENNAN: –in distinction.  

SEC. RUBIO: Yeah- no- what the president’s- no, no. I feel what the president is saying is he would not wish to finish the struggle till Hamas is defeated. This can be a group that could be a threat- if an ember survives, it should spark once more into a hearth. And that’s the view of- there is no such thing as a future. There could be no peaceable and affluent Gaza so long as Hamas governs it by rule of arms. And that is a- that is a basic reality. Now that does not imply that there is not a way that we are able to obtain that via a cease-fire and a few peace mechanism, and that is what we’re attempting to perform right here. Ending Hamas, ending its governance of Gaza, ending the battle, liberating all the hostages, together with the our bodies of those that have handed away and been killed and murdered by the Hamas terrorists, after which starting the work of a future for Gaza and likewise of guaranteeing Israel’s safety. That is at all times been our aim. That continues to be our aim, and that is what we proceed to be centered on. However within the absence of that such settlement, we anticipate that, you recognize, Israel will proceed ahead with their operations. However that does not imply we stopped engaged on attempting to attain a peaceable consequence that additionally protects Israel’s safety and ends Hamas’s governance of Gaza, in order that Gaza can have a free and affluent future shifting ahead. That is what the president desires to see as the tip aim right here. That’s the finish aim, and that is what we’re engaged on via each means at our disposal. 

MARGARET BRENNAN: You might have mentioned that Iran is, in your view, a threshold nuclear state, and we’re at a important second. The U.S. and Iran are speaking once more. Are you able to make clear what the U.S. coverage is right here? Is the underside line that Iran can not enrich any uranium, even whether it is at low ranges for civilian functions? Do they should absolutely dismantle this system?

SEC. RUBIO: Nicely, look, if you happen to’re capable of enrich at any degree you have now are principally capable of enrich at weapons grade in a short time. I imply, that is only a basic reality, and everybody is aware of it, and that was the issue with the Obama deal. However the finish aim right here is easy, Iran can by no means have a nuclear weapon. And the president’s choice, as a result of he would not like struggle, the president’s choice is to attain that via a peaceable negotiation. In reality, the president’s choice is not- not solely that Iran not pursue nuclear weapons, however that Iran be a wealthy, peaceable and affluent nation the place its individuals could be completely happy. He desires them to have a greater future. He has mentioned this, he is a builder, not a bomber. That is what he views himself as, and that is what he’s. He is a president that desires peace, and so he is provided that route, and that is one we hope the Iranians will take. However he is been very clear, Iran isn’t going to have the aptitude. They’re by no means going to have a nuclear weapon. It is not going to occur. And we hope that that’s achieved, that consequence is achieved via peaceable, diplomatic means, and that is what we’re engaged on. We’re not going to barter it within the media, as a result of it makes it tough to get an consequence. However that’s the final aim right here, is to have an Iran that doesn’t have a nuclear weapon or the flexibility to threaten its neighbors, notably Israel. 

MARGARET BRENNAN: Mr. Secretary, I do know you have got a busy schedule. Thanks in your time this morning.

SEC. RUBIO: Thanks.