U.S. Senators Reveal Rubio’s Take: Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan Mirrors Russia’s ‘Wish List’ | PRIMENEWSNOW

Controversy Surrounds Trump’s Russia-Ukraine Peace Proposal

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – On Saturday, lawmakers critical of President Donald Trump’s strategy for resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict reported discussions with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They claimed Rubio described Trump’s peace plan as a “wish list” favoring Russian interests rather than a genuine proposal reflecting Washington’s stance.

A spokesperson from the State Department refuted these claims, labeling them as “blatantly false.”

Rubio’s Response and the Administration’s Position

Rubio took to social media to counter the senators’ statements, asserting that they misunderstood his comments. He emphasized that the proposal, which had already raised eyebrows for its pro-Moscow leanings, was indeed backed by Washington.

This development added to the confusion surrounding the Trump-endorsed peace plan, which was already facing skepticism about its viability.

Details of the Peace Plan

The 28-point peace proposal, according to the White House, was crafted over a month with input from both Ukrainian and Russian parties. However, it concedes to several Russian demands that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected, such as ceding significant territories. Trump aims for Ukraine to accept the plan by the end of next week.

Republican Mike Rounds from South Dakota, speaking at a security conference in Canada, stated, “This administration was not responsible for this release in its current form. They want to use it as a starting point.”

Senators’ Reactions and Rubio’s Clarification

Senators reported that Rubio, en route to Geneva for discussions, reached out to them. Independent Maine Sen. Angus King mentioned that Rubio described the plan as a “wish list of the Russians” rather than an official U.S. proposal.

Standing together, the bipartisan group of senators, known for their focus on foreign relations, conveyed Rubio’s message during a press conference.

Rubio later posted on X, “The peace proposal was authored by the U.S. It is offered as a strong framework for ongoing negotiations. It is based on input from the Russian side. But it is also based on previous and ongoing input from Ukraine.”

Criticism and International Reactions

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott dismissed the senators’ account as “blatantly false.”

Earlier, the senators criticized the plan for potentially rewarding Moscow’s aggression, warning it could embolden other leaders with territorial ambitions.

“It rewards aggression. This is pure and simple. There’s no ethical, legal, moral, political justification for Russia claiming eastern Ukraine,” King stated at the Halifax International Security Forum.

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed approval of the proposal, suggesting it could serve as a foundation for a final peace agreement if the U.S. could secure support from Ukraine and its European allies.

In response, Zelenskyy did not outright reject the plan but emphasized the need for fair treatment, pledging to “work calmly” with Washington and other partners during what he described as “one of the most difficult moments in our history.”

Halifax International Security Forum and U.S.-Canada Relations

Now in its 17th year, the Halifax International Security Forum attracts around 300 participants, including military officials, U.S. senators, diplomats, and scholars. This year, the Trump administration suspended the participation of U.S. defense officials in think tank events, including this forum.

A significant number of U.S. senators attended, partly due to strained U.S.-Canada relations. Trump’s trade policies and suggestions that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state have alienated many Canadians, leading to a decline in tourism to U.S. border states like New Hampshire.