Rubio Calls Russia’s War on Ukraine a “Proxy War” Between U.S. and Moscow, Echoing Kremlin Narratives

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Russia’s war against Ukraine as a “proxy war ” between Moscow and Washington, according to an interview with Fox News, published on the U.S. State Department’s website on March 5.

“And frankly, it’s a proxy war between nuclear powers – the United States, helping Ukraine, and Russia – and it needs to come to an end. And no one has any idea or any plan to bring it to an end,” Rubio said.

According to him, President Donald Trump sees the war as “prolonged and deadlocked”, arguing that Ukraine is simply seeking continuous support, while Russia, despite making some gains, is far from dominating the battlefield.

“The plan of the Ukrainians up to now and their allies on Capitol Hill and the people you talk to in other countries is let’s just keep giving them as much as they need for as long as it takes. That’s not a strategy” Rubio added.

Rubio said the U.S. had urged Ukraine not to obstruct efforts to find a diplomatic resolution to the war. However, he claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy ignored this advice, challenging Vice President J.D. Vance’s remarks on the potential for diplomacy.

Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron outlined plans for increased defense spending, promising “additional investments” in the nation’s military without raising taxes, “The future of Europe should not be decided in Washington or Moscow,” Macron added.

Speaking ahead of a key European meeting on March 6, Macron stressed the importance of European nations enhancing their defense capabilities, including nuclear deterrence.

“We must be prepared if the United States is not with us,” he said, urging European leaders to focus on deterrence and improving their readiness in the face of growing threats.