Breaking: A group of 42 U.S. lawmakers has issued a strong statement decrying Pakistan’s worsening human rights crisis, urging the Trump administration to hold Pakistan’s military accountable and call for the release of political prisoners.


Breaking: U.S. Lawmakers Decry Pakistan's Escalating Human Rights Crisis

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that radical Islamic movements pose a grave threat not only to the United States but also to the entire world, saying that their aim is to expand and “not merely to occupy one part of the world”. In a Fox News interview, Rubio said, “Radical Islam has shown that their desire is not simply to occupy one part of the world and be happy with their own little caliphate, they want to expand. It’s revolutionary in its nature. It seeks to expand and control more territories and more people...That’s a clear and imminent threat to the world and to the broader West.”Rubio further said that all Islamic movements around the world eventually identify the West, and primarily the United States, as “the greatest evil on earth”.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“Radical Islam has shown that their desire is not simply to occupy one part of the world and be happy with their own little caliphate, they want to expand. It’s revolutionary in its nature. It seeks to expand and control more territories and more people … That’s a clear and… <a href="https://t.co/22BZjJFKO3">pic.twitter.com/22BZjJFKO3</a>&mdash; Department of State (@StateDept) <a href="https://twitter.com/StateDept/status/1996218048458490302?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-rob-lie-cheat-destroy-trump-slams-dems-says-he-is-pardoning-rep-henry-cuellar-indicted-on-bribery-charges-1764782626801">‘Rob, lie, cheat, destroy’: Trump slams Dems, says he is pardoning Rep. Henry Cuellar indicted on bribery charges</a>&nbsp;Speaking with Sean Hannity of Fox News, Rubio said, “Because ultimately all radical Islamic movements in the world identify the West writ large but the United States in particular as the greatest evil on the Earth. And every chance they have, the notion that somehow radical Islam would be comfortable with simply controlling some province in Iraq or Syria is just not borne out by history.”And radical Islam has designs, openly, on the West, on the United States, on Europe. We’ve seen that progress there as well. And they are prepared to conduct acts of terrorism – in the case of Iran, nation-state actions, assassinations, murders, you name it. Whatever it takes for them to gain their influence and ultimately their domination of different cultures and societies.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-to-open-rafah-crossing-let-authorised-gazans-enter-egypt-1764775829988">Israel to open Rafah Crossing, let authorised Gazans enter Egypt</a>&nbsp;"Okay, the reason why they hate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the leadership of the UAE, of Bahrain, is because they’ve allowed the United States to partner with them. That’s why they hate them. They consider them infidels for it. They hate Israel,” he added.Rubio further said that overwhelming majority of domestic terrorist attacks have also been inspired by radical Islamic viewpoints, including the shooting in the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.&nbsp;Rubio also announced that the United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world and will restrict US visas for those who direct, authorise, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-india-must-break-into-pieces-for-peace-in-bangladesh-says-ex-general-in-dhaka-1764767350048">‘India must break into pieces for peace in Bangladesh,’ says ex-general in Dhaka</a>&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world. The <a href="https://twitter.com/StateDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@StateDept</a> will restrict U.S. visas for those who knowingly direct, authorize, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious…&mdash; Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio/status/1996241392088002737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;In a post on X, Rubio said, “The United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world. The @StateDept will restrict U.S. visas for those who knowingly direct, authorize, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom. This visa policy applies to Nigeria and other governments or individuals that persecute people for their religious beliefs.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cong-leader-shares-chailwala-ai-video-bjp-says-namdaar-congress-can-t-stand-kamdaar-pm-1764756965220">Cong leader shares ‘chaiwala’ AI video; BJP says ‘Namdaar’ Congress can’t stand ‘Kamdaar’ PM</a>

Rubio also announced that the United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world and will restrict US visas for those who direct, authorise, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom.

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that radical Islamic movements pose a grave threat not only to the United States but also to the entire world, saying that their aim is to expand and “not merely to occupy one part of the world”. In a Fox News interview, Rubio said, “Radical Islam has shown that their desire is not simply to occupy one part of the world and be happy with their own little caliphate, they want to expand. It’s revolutionary in its nature. It seeks to expand and control more territories and more people...That’s a clear and imminent threat to the world and to the broader West.” Rubio further said that all Islamic movements around the world eventually identify the West, and primarily the United States, as “the greatest evil on earth”.

Rubio also announced that the United States is taking decisive action in response to the atrocities and violence against Christians in Nigeria and around the world and will restrict US visas for those who direct, authorise, fund, support, or carry out violations of religious freedom.

‘Radical Islam poses grave threat to the US and entire world’: Marco Rubio

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio applauded the substantive advancements made during peace negotiations with Ukraine in Geneva, describing the talks as the most productive and meaningful to date. Both sides agreed on the importance of upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty and worked on refining a 28-point peace proposal. 


Russia-Ukraine War: Rubio Praises ‘Tremendous Progress’ at Peace Talks 

US top diplomat Marco Rubio on Wednesday (Nov 12) called this week's explosion close to Delhi's Red Fort 'clearly' a 'terrorist attack', while also giving credit to local officials for how they've managed the probe up to now. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Niagara, Canada, Rubio said, "It clearly was a terrorist attack. It was a car loaded with highly explosive materials that detonated and killed a lot of people."<h2>What did Rubio say?</h2>While responding to questions from the press about the blast in Delhi on Monday, Rubio said, "The Indians need to be commended. They've been very measured, cautious and very professional on how they're carrying out this investigation. That investigation continues." He added, "I think they are doing a very good job of carrying out an investigation, and I think when they'll have facts, they'll release those facts."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-lungs-and-gut-ruptured-bones-broken-reveals-delhi-blast-victims-post-mortem-details-1762966931007">‘Lungs ruptured, bones broken,’ reveal Delhi blast victims’ post-mortem details</a>Rubio made clear he'd talked to Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar regarding the attack. He also revealed that America has offered to help India, while noting India was "very capable" and could handle the probe just fine by itself. "We are aware of the potential it has, and we spoke a little about it today- the potential it has to become something broader. We are going to await to see what the investigation reveals. We have offered to help but I think they are very capable on these investigations. They don't need our help and they are doing a good job", he said.<h2>Red Fort blast</h2>The explosion in Delhi on Monday night, close to the famous Red Fort, is now being called a terrorist act by India’s authorities. Initial investigation results point toward a link to a "white-collar terror network" connections with groups based in Pakistan - specifically Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH). Authorities have additionally found signs of a quiet kind of militant setup, made up of white-collar workers like physicians and religious figures. Police say joint raids from Oct 19 to Nov 10 turned up close to 3,000 kilos of bomb materials - alongside several detentions tied to the group.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/shocking-epstein-emails-claim-trump-spent-hours-with-victim-white-house-says-he-did-nothing-wrong-1762997460941">White House says 'he did nothing wrong’ after shocking Epstein emails claim Trump 'spent hours' with victim</a> &nbsp;

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Red Fort blast a “terrorist attack,” while praising Indian officials for their “measured and professional” probe. He said the US offered help, but added India was “very capable” of handling the investigation.

US top diplomat Marco Rubio on Wednesday (Nov 12) called this week's explosion close to Delhi's Red Fort 'clearly' a 'terrorist attack', while also giving credit to local officials for how they've managed the probe up to now. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Niagara, Canada, Rubio said, "It clearly was a terrorist attack. It was a car loaded with highly explosive materials that detonated and killed a lot of people." What did Rubio say? While responding to questions from the press about the blast in Delhi on Monday, Rubio said, "The Indians need to be commended. They've been very measured, cautious and very professional on how they're carrying out this investigation. That investigation continues." He added, "I think they are doing a very good job of carrying out an investigation, and I think when they'll have facts, they'll release those facts." Also read | ‘Lungs ruptured, bones broken,’ reveal Delhi blast victims’ post-mortem details Rubio made clear he'd talked to Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar regarding the attack. He also revealed that America has offered to help India, while noting India was "very capable" and could handle the probe just fine by itself. "We are aware of the potential it has, and we spoke a little about it today- the potential it has to become something broader. We are going to await to see what the investigation reveals. We have offered to help but I think they are very capable on these investigations. They don't need our help and they are doing a good job", he said. Red Fort blast The explosion in Delhi on Monday night, close to the famous Red Fort, is now being called a terrorist act by India’s authorities. Initial investigation results point toward a link to a "white-collar terror network" connections with groups based in Pakistan - specifically Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH). Authorities have additionally found signs of a quiet kind of militant setup, made up of white-collar workers like physicians and religious figures. Police say joint raids from Oct 19 to Nov 10 turned up close to 3,000 kilos of bomb materials - alongside several detentions tied to the group. Also read | White House says 'he did nothing wrong’ after shocking Epstein emails claim Trump 'spent hours' with victim

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the Red Fort blast a “terrorist attack,” while praising Indian officials for their “measured and professional” probe. He said the US offered help, but added India was “very capable” of handling the investigation.

US offers help, calls Delhi Red Fort explosion a 'terror attack', praises India’s handling of probe

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit. Jaishankar expressed his appreciation for the discussions on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional and global matters. Jaishankar shared his thoughts on social media, saying, “Had a productive conversation with @SecRubio today in Kuala Lumpur, discussing our bilateral ties along with broader regional and global challenges.” The meeting took place during ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/us-navy-helicopter-and-jet-crash-in-south-china-sea-within-30-minutes-causes-and-casualties-what-we-know-1761527681073">US Navy helicopter and jet crash in South China Sea within 30 minutes: Causes and casualties — What we know</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Glad to meet <a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRubio</a> this morning in Kuala Lumpur. Appreciated the discussion on our bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues. 🇮🇳 🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/mlrqoyZypB">pic.twitter.com/mlrqoyZypB</a>&mdash; Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1982616032167764046?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>India’s perspective on trade talks</h2>Last week, India’s Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, reaffirmed that India will not rush into trade agreements or accept any terms from partner countries that restrict its trade flexibility. He emphasised that trade negotiations go beyond just market access or tariffs and should focus on building long-term, sustainable partnerships and global business cooperation.&nbsp;Goyal highlighted that India’s approach to these talks is not driven by short-term objectives but aims for a broader vision. "It's not just about immediate deals like steel exports to the US but about fostering long-term trust and cooperation," he was quoted as saying.<h2>Progress in India-US trade talks</h2>India's Commerce Secretary, Rajesh Agrawal, expressed optimism regarding the trade discussions with the US, noting that the two sides are aligning on many issues. He suggested that a mutually beneficial agreement is close to being finalised. Agrawal said, “I believe we are very close,” referring to the Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) proposed earlier this year during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. A joint statement from February had indicated that the first part of the BTA would likely be concluded by the fall, spanning from September to November.

ASEAN Summit: Jaishankar meets Marco Rubio in Malaysia amid ongoing India-US trade talks

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit. Jaishankar expressed his appreciation for the discussions on strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional and global matters. Jaishankar shared his thoughts on social media, saying, “Had a productive conversation with @SecRubio today in Kuala Lumpur, discussing our bilateral ties along with broader regional and global challenges.” The meeting took place during ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries. Also Read: US Navy helicopter and jet crash in South China Sea within 30 minutes: Causes and casualties — What we know

S Jaishankar and Marco Rubio meet in Malaysia to discuss India-US ties amid trade negotiations, with India focusing on long-term, trust-based agreements

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday (Oct 26) said that while his country is seeking to expand its “strategic relationship” with Pakistan, it won’t come at the cost of Washington’s “deep, historic, and important” ties with India. Speaking to reporters ahead of his meeting with the Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, Rubio said that this was part of “a mature, pragmatic foreign policy.”“I think they (India) have to understand we have to have relations with a lot of different countries. We see an opportunity to expand our strategic relationship with Pakistan,” he said. “I think the Indians are very mature when it comes to diplomacy and things of that nature. Look, they have some relationships with countries that we don’t have relationships with. So, it’s part of a mature, pragmatic foreign policy.”“I don’t think anything we’re doing with Pakistan comes at the expense of our relationship or friendship with India, which is deep, historic, and important,” Rubio said.Earlier, US President Donald Trump highlighted the United States’ close ties with Pakistan at the ASEAN summit, where he called Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir “great people” and said that he would “quickly” help to resolve the country’s recent conflict with Afghanistan.Trump has also repeatedly alleged to broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, a claim which India has consistently rejected. On the other hand, Islamabad has credited the US president for stopping the conflict between the two countries.Rubio also acknowledged the challenges between India and the US, including recent tensions over tariffs imposed by Trump and New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil. “We’re fully aware of the challenges with India, but our job is to create opportunities for partnerships where possible,” he said.“If they diversified their portfolio, the more they buy it from us, the more they’ll buy it from someone else. But I wouldn’t prejudge or — I’m not negotiating trade deals. So I’m not going to speak on that,” he said. “But I know they’ve (India) already expressed a desire to diversify their oil portfolio, even before all of this came up. So, obviously the more we sell them, the less they’ll buy from someone else. And, but, we’ll see where we wind up on all that.”

Rubio also acknowledged the challenges between India and the US, including recent tensions over tariffs imposed by Trump and New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday (Oct 26) said that while his country is seeking to expand its “strategic relationship” with Pakistan, it won’t come at the cost of Washington’s “deep, historic, and important” ties with India. Speaking to reporters ahead of his meeting with the Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, Rubio said that this was part of “a mature, pragmatic foreign policy.” “I think they (India) have to understand we have to have relations with a lot of different countries. We see an opportunity to expand our strategic relationship with Pakistan,” he said. “I think the Indians are very mature when it comes to diplomacy and things of that nature. Look, they have some relationships with countries that we don’t have relationships with. So, it’s part of a mature, pragmatic foreign policy.” “I don’t think anything we’re doing with Pakistan comes at the expense of our relationship or friendship with India, which is deep, historic, and important,” Rubio said. Earlier, US President Donald Trump highlighted the United States’ close ties with Pakistan at the ASEAN summit, where he called Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir “great people” and said that he would “quickly” help to resolve the country’s recent conflict with Afghanistan. Trump has also repeatedly alleged to broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, a claim which India has consistently rejected. On the other hand, Islamabad has credited the US president for stopping the conflict between the two countries. Rubio also acknowledged the challenges between India and the US, including recent tensions over tariffs imposed by Trump and New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil. “We’re fully aware of the challenges with India, but our job is to create opportunities for partnerships where possible,” he said. “If they diversified their portfolio, the more they buy it from us, the more they’ll buy it from someone else. But I wouldn’t prejudge or — I’m not negotiating trade deals. So I’m not going to speak on that,” he said. “But I know they’ve (India) already expressed a desire to diversify their oil portfolio, even before all of this came up. So, obviously the more we sell them, the less they’ll buy from someone else. And, but, we’ll see where we wind up on all that.”

Rubio also acknowledged the challenges between India and the US, including recent tensions over tariffs imposed by Trump and New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil.

‘Not at expense of relationship with India’: Rubio on warming ties between US and Pakistan

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio passed a handwritten note to President Donald Trump during a white house roundtable with conservative influencers over Antifa. The note was snapped by several photo journalists, has gained attention. "You need to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce the deal first,” urging Trump to publicly announce a Middle East peace agreement. The note was signed ‘very close’ at the top, underlining the urgency of the message. The meeting with influencers had already extended over an hour, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was waiting eagerly to deliver the important news, emphasising that this had to be done in private; however, as he grew restless, he passed on a handwritten note on white house stationery.Just after receiving the note, Trump said, "I was just given a note by the secretary of state saying that we're very close to a deal on the Middle East, and they're gonna need me pretty quickly."A couple of hours after the incident, Trump made a lengthy post on Truth Social. declaring that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of the peace plan. The announcement was made after consultation with people such as Jared Kushner, Witkoff. It also highlights the close coordination between Trump and his team before the public announcement.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">AP photos show Rubio&#39;s urgent note to Trump before announcement of Mideast peace deal<a href="https://t.co/xHCZJ8L154">https://t.co/xHCZJ8L154</a> <a href="https://t.co/pNql5VW5wk">pic.twitter.com/pNql5VW5wk</a>&mdash; Derek Karikari (@news_scout) <a href="https://twitter.com/news_scout/status/1976267051233579441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This also shows that eventhough Trump sometimes goes on a mid night rampage of Truth Social posts, the important ones are carefully crafted with assistance from staffs. For instance, Natalie Harp, a former staffer, has been reported to have posted on Trump's behalf in the past. Additionally, Meredith McIver, a former staff writer for The Trump Organization, has been credited with ghostwriting several of Trump's books and speeches.

Trump responds to Rubio’s urgent handwritten note with a Truth Social announcement, highlighting behind-the-scenes White House coordination.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio passed a handwritten note to President Donald Trump during a white house roundtable with conservative influencers over Antifa. The note was snapped by several photo journalists, has gained attention. "You need to approve a Truth Social post soon so you can announce the deal first,” urging Trump to publicly announce a Middle East peace agreement. The note was signed ‘very close’ at the top, underlining the urgency of the message. The meeting with influencers had already extended over an hour, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was waiting eagerly to deliver the important news, emphasising that this had to be done in private; however, as he grew restless, he passed on a handwritten note on white house stationery. Just after receiving the note, Trump said, "I was just given a note by the secretary of state saying that we're very close to a deal on the Middle East, and they're gonna need me pretty quickly." A couple of hours after the incident, Trump made a lengthy post on Truth Social. declaring that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of the peace plan. The announcement was made after consultation with people such as Jared Kushner, Witkoff. It also highlights the close coordination between Trump and his team before the public announcement.

Trump responds to Rubio’s urgent handwritten note with a Truth Social announcement, highlighting behind-the-scenes White House coordination.

Who writes Trump's Truth Social rants? Rubio's secret note prompts Trump's truth social post

Indian External Affairs S.Jaishankar will meet with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Monday (Sep 22). The meeting, which would happen on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, is the first time top Indian and US officials would meet each other since President Donald Trump imposed a 50 per cent tariff on India. It is also the first top-level meet since America hiked the fee for H1-B visas to $100,000. It must be noted that in recent years, 70 per cent of H1-B beneficiaries were Indians.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-i-should-get-a-nobel-prize-for-each-one-trump-demands-seven-nobels-for-solving-7-wars-once-again-takes-credit-for-india-pak-war-1758442668041">'I should get a Nobel Prize for each one': Trump demands seven Nobels for 'solving' 7 wars, once again takes credit for India-Pak ceasefire</a><h2>When will Jaishankar and Rubio meet?</h2>The top Indian and US officials will meet at 11 am EST (8:30 PM IST) on Monday as per Marco Rubio’s schedule released by the US State Department. The vital meeting is part of a continuing effort to strengthen India-US ties, which in recent days have come under strain after Trump imposed the 25 per cent tariff, plus a 25 per cent penalty for India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil. Rubio and Jaishankar last met in July of this year on the sidelines of the 10th Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting.In line with the diplomatic efforts, on Monday, India and the US are also scheduled to hold trade talks on Monday (Sep 22). Trump recently expressed confidence that the two nations would face “no difficulty” in arriving at a deal.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/trump-just-made-it-nearly-impossible-for-indians-to-work-in-the-us-here-s-how-us-hikes-h-1b-fee-to-100-000-or-90-lakh-1758336080621">Trump just made it nearly impossible for Indians to work in the US — Here's how</a>

Indian EAM S. Jaishankar is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Monday. This will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two officials since President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on India and raised the annual fee for H-1B visas to $100,000.

Indian External Affairs S.Jaishankar will meet with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Monday (Sep 22). The meeting, which would happen on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, is the first time top Indian and US officials would meet each other since President Donald Trump imposed a 50 per cent tariff on India. It is also the first top-level meet since America hiked the fee for H1-B visas to $100,000. It must be noted that in recent years, 70 per cent of H1-B beneficiaries were Indians. Also read | 'I should get a Nobel Prize for each one': Trump demands seven Nobels for 'solving' 7 wars, once again takes credit for India-Pak ceasefire When will Jaishankar and Rubio meet? The top Indian and US officials will meet at 11 am EST (8:30 PM IST) on Monday as per Marco Rubio’s schedule released by the US State Department. The vital meeting is part of a continuing effort to strengthen India-US ties, which in recent days have come under strain after Trump imposed the 25 per cent tariff, plus a 25 per cent penalty for India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil. Rubio and Jaishankar last met in July of this year on the sidelines of the 10th Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting. In line with the diplomatic efforts, on Monday, India and the US are also scheduled to hold trade talks on Monday (Sep 22). Trump recently expressed confidence that the two nations would face “no difficulty” in arriving at a deal. Also read | Trump just made it nearly impossible for Indians to work in the US — Here's how

Indian EAM S. Jaishankar is scheduled to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in New York on Monday. This will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two officials since President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on India and raised the annual fee for H-1B visas to $100,000.

Jaishankar to meet Rubio in New York — first top-level talks after Trump’s 50% India tariff, $100,000 H1-B visa fee blow

Israel launched intense airstrikes on Gaza City on Tuesday (September 16), with residents reporting homes reduced to rubble and civilians trapped beneath the debris. The escalation followed a visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Jerusalem, where he fully endorsed Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s renewed military push against Hamas.&nbsp;Speaking alongside Netanyahu, Rubio assured Israel of America’s “unshakable support,” describing Hamas as “barbaric animals” and expressing skepticism toward Qatar’s ongoing efforts to mediate a ceasefire. The latest assault on Gaza City—the most densely populated area of the enclave—comes amid warnings from the United Nations that famine looms for over one million residents. Local civil defense officials in Gaza reported that casualties continue to climb, with the southern city of Khan Yunis also hit by Israeli airstrikes, including an attack that killed 49 people the day before.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/from-kremlin-laundromat-to-friend-trump-s-u-turn-brings-india-us-back-to-negotiating-table-trade-talks-in-delhi-today-1757990317044">From 'Kremlin laundromat' to 'friend': Trump's U-turn brings India, US back to negotiating table; trade talks in Delhi today</a>&nbsp;Due to restricted media access and dangerous conditions, independent verification of casualty figures remains challenging, although the UN continues to deem Gaza’s health ministry statistics as credible. As of now, over 64,900 Palestinians—mostly civilians—are reported to have been killed since the war began following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which left 1,219 people dead.&nbsp;Rubio’s Middle East tour is happening against the backdrop of increasing diplomatic friction. His show of support for Netanyahu contrasts with criticism from US President Donald Trump, who recently warned Israel not to strike targets in Qatar—home to a key US air base and a key broker in hostage talks.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-move-to-fire-fed-governor-lisa-cook-fails-court-lets-her-stay-for-rate-decision-1757984861281">Trump move to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook fails — court lets her stay for rate decision</a>&nbsp;Despite this, Rubio dismissed statehood recognition as symbolic and warned against Qatar-led diplomacy. France, meanwhile, is preparing to host a UN summit in which several US allies are expected to push for formal recognition of a Palestinian state—moves staunchly opposed by the Israeli government.&nbsp;Some Israeli ministers have even floated the idea of annexing the occupied West Bank, prompting rare rebukes from the UAE, which normalised ties with Israel in 2020. While in Jerusalem, Rubio also toured sensitive sites, including a controversial underground tunnel beneath the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan, sparking criticism from local residents. Silwan community leader Fakhri Abu Diab accused the US of turning a blind eye to Palestinian suffering and backing Israel’s far-right agenda. Rubio also paid a visit to the Western Wall, echoing Trump-era declarations of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital—a stance Palestinians reject, citing international law and claims to East Jerusalem as their future capital.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio backs Israel's Gaza offensive, dismisses ceasefire talks and Palestinian statehood push, as airstrikes kill civilians and global pressure on Israel escalates

Israel launched intense airstrikes on Gaza City on Tuesday (September 16), with residents reporting homes reduced to rubble and civilians trapped beneath the debris. The escalation followed a visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Jerusalem, where he fully endorsed Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s renewed military push against Hamas. Speaking alongside Netanyahu, Rubio assured Israel of America’s “unshakable support,” describing Hamas as “barbaric animals” and expressing skepticism toward Qatar’s ongoing efforts to mediate a ceasefire. The latest assault on Gaza City—the most densely populated area of the enclave—comes amid warnings from the United Nations that famine looms for over one million residents. Local civil defense officials in Gaza reported that casualties continue to climb, with the southern city of Khan Yunis also hit by Israeli airstrikes, including an attack that killed 49 people the day before. Also Read: From 'Kremlin laundromat' to 'friend': Trump's U-turn brings India, US back to negotiating table; trade talks in Delhi today Due to restricted media access and dangerous conditions, independent verification of casualty figures remains challenging, although the UN continues to deem Gaza’s health ministry statistics as credible. As of now, over 64,900 Palestinians—mostly civilians—are reported to have been killed since the war began following Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which left 1,219 people dead. Rubio’s Middle East tour is happening against the backdrop of increasing diplomatic friction. His show of support for Netanyahu contrasts with criticism from US President Donald Trump, who recently warned Israel not to strike targets in Qatar—home to a key US air base and a key broker in hostage talks. Also Read: Trump move to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook fails — court lets her stay for rate decision Despite this, Rubio dismissed statehood recognition as symbolic and warned against Qatar-led diplomacy. France, meanwhile, is preparing to host a UN summit in which several US allies are expected to push for formal recognition of a Palestinian state—moves staunchly opposed by the Israeli government. Some Israeli ministers have even floated the idea of annexing the occupied West Bank, prompting rare rebukes from the UAE, which normalised ties with Israel in 2020. While in Jerusalem, Rubio also toured sensitive sites, including a controversial underground tunnel beneath the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan, sparking criticism from local residents. Silwan community leader Fakhri Abu Diab accused the US of turning a blind eye to Palestinian suffering and backing Israel’s far-right agenda. Rubio also paid a visit to the Western Wall, echoing Trump-era declarations of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital—a stance Palestinians reject, citing international law and claims to East Jerusalem as their future capital.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio backs Israel's Gaza offensive, dismisses ceasefire talks and Palestinian statehood push, as airstrikes kill civilians and global pressure on Israel escalates

'Better future cannot begin until Hamas is...': Gaza City bombing escalates after Marco Rubio's visit to Jerusalem

Marco rubio has warned Russia of consequences, including new sanctions, if no peace deal on Ukraine is reached. He said both Moscow and Kyiv must make concessions, stressing that without compromise, there can be no peace.


Marco Rubio warns Russia of new sanctions 'if peace talks fail

In a bizarre incident, an unknown imposter pretending to be US State Secretary Marco Rubio contacted foreign ministers, a US governor, and a member of Congress by sending them voice and text messages. The fraudster used artificial intelligence to impersonate Marco Rubio as he contacted at least five senior officials, according to a state department cable seen by The Washington Post.The imposter used voice and writing style using AI-powered software, according to a senior US official and the State Department cable.The cable, which was dated July 3, stated that the imposter "left voicemails on Signal for at least two targeted individuals” and sent text messages inviting others to communicate on the platform.However, it is not clear who is behind this, but the cable reported that the goal had been "gaining access to information or accounts" of key government officials.The man used both text messaging and the encrypted messaging app Signal and contacted "at least five non-Department individuals, including three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a U.S. member of Congress."Signal is used widely by the Trump administration for official purposes.All this began in mid-June when the imposter created a Signal account using the display name "Marco.Rubio@state.gov”, as he contacted foreign and domestic diplomats and politicians.“The actor left voicemails on Signal for at least two targeted individuals and in one instance, sent a text message inviting the individual to communicate on Signal,” according to the cable.The State Department stressed that it would carry out a thorough investigation and continue to implement safeguards to prevent this from happening in the future.After the incident, the man who served as senior advisor to Barack Obama, said that the AI scam using Rubio was "only a matter of time”, urging that urgent action needs to be taken to defend against such attacks in the future.“A Marco Rubio impostor is using AI voice to call high-level officials,” David Axelrod said in a post on X. “This is the new world in which we live and we’d better figure out how to defend against it because of its implications for our democracy and the world.”&nbsp;

The imposter used voice and writing style using AI-powered software, according to a senior US official and the State Department cable.

In a bizarre incident, an unknown imposter pretending to be US State Secretary Marco Rubio contacted foreign ministers, a US governor, and a member of Congress by sending them voice and text messages. The fraudster used artificial intelligence to impersonate Marco Rubio as he contacted at least five senior officials, according to a state department cable seen by The Washington Post. The imposter used voice and writing style using AI-powered software, according to a senior US official and the State Department cable. The cable, which was dated July 3, stated that the imposter "left voicemails on Signal for at least two targeted individuals” and sent text messages inviting others to communicate on the platform. However, it is not clear who is behind this, but the cable reported that the goal had been "gaining access to information or accounts" of key government officials. The man used both text messaging and the encrypted messaging app Signal and contacted "at least five non-Department individuals, including three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a U.S. member of Congress." Signal is used widely by the Trump administration for official purposes. All this began in mid-June when the imposter created a Signal account using the display name "Marco.Rubio@state.gov”, as he contacted foreign and domestic diplomats and politicians. “The actor left voicemails on Signal for at least two targeted individuals and in one instance, sent a text message inviting the individual to communicate on Signal,” according to the cable. The State Department stressed that it would carry out a thorough investigation and continue to implement safeguards to prevent this from happening in the future. After the incident, the man who served as senior advisor to Barack Obama, said that the AI scam using Rubio was "only a matter of time”, urging that urgent action needs to be taken to defend against such attacks in the future. “A Marco Rubio impostor is using AI voice to call high-level officials,” David Axelrod said in a post on X. “This is the new world in which we live and we’d better figure out how to defend against it because of its implications for our democracy and the world.”

The imposter used voice and writing style using AI-powered software, according to a senior US official and the State Department cable.

Fraudster trying to scam US officials? Marco Rubio imposter uses AI to contact senior officials on Signal - All you need to know

The US foreign aid agency formally closed down Tuesday, with President Donald Trump's administration trumpeting the end of the "charity-based model" despite predictions that millions of lives will be lost.Founded in 1961 as John F. Kennedy sought to leverage aid to win over the developing world in the Cold War, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has now been incorporated into the State Department -- after Secretary of State Marco Rubio slashed 85 percent of its programming.In a farewell to remaining staff on Monday, former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama -- as well as U2 frontman Bono -- saluted their work and said it was still needed.Bush pointed to PEPFAR, the massive US effort to fight HIV/AIDS that he considers one of the top achievements of his 2001-2009 Republican presidency."This program shows a fundamental question facing our country -- is it in our nation's interest that 25 million people who would have died now live? I think it is," Bush said in a video message seen by AFP.Obama, who like Bush has been sparing in openly criticising Trump, said that ending USAID was "inexplicable" and "will go down as a colossal mistake.""Gutting USAID is a travesty and it is a tragedy because it's some of the most important work happening anywhere in the world," the Democrat said.A study published in the medical journal The Lancet predicted that more than 14 million people would die, a third of them small children, by 2030 due to the foreign aid cuts.- 'Little to show' - Rubio painted a drastically different picture of USAID, which was an early target of a sweeping government cost-cutting drive led for Trump by billionaire Elon Musk.Rubio said that USAID's "charity-based model" fueled "addiction" by developing nations' leaders and that trade was more effective."Beyond creating a globe-spanning NGO industrial complex at taxpayer expense, USAID has little to show since the end of the Cold War," Rubio wrote in an essay.He also complained that many recipients of US aid do not vote with the United States at the United Nations and that rival China often enjoys higher favorability among the public.A senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that The Lancet study relied on "incorrect assumptions" and said the United States will continue aid but in a "more efficient" way.He said that PEPFAR will remain, with a priority on stopping HIV transmission from mothers to children.But he acknowledged the United States was no longer funding PrEP medication, which significantly reduces the rate of HIV transmission and has been encouraged by high-risk communities."No one is saying that gay men in Africa shouldn't be on PrEP. That's wonderful. It doesn't mean that the United States has to pay for every single thing," the official said.He said the Trump administration was looking at "new and innovative solutions" and pointed to food deliveries in war-battered Gaza staffed by US military contractors and surrounded by Israeli troops.Witnesses, the United Nations and local Gaza officials have reported that Israeli troops have repeatedly opened fire and killed Palestinians waiting for aid -- although the US-backed initiative, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, denies any deadly incidents.- 'No line of defense' - Bob Kitchen, the vice president for emergencies at the International Rescue Committee, said that the 14 million death prediction was consistent with what the humanitarian group was seeing.Among the group's programming that was funded through USAID, he said that nearly 400,000 refugees who fled the war in Sudan have now been deprived of acute aid and that more than 500,000 Afghans, mostly women and girls, have been cut off from education and healthcare.European Union nations and Britain, rather than filling the gap, have also stepped back as they ramp up defense spending with encouragement from Trump.Kitchen warned that cuts will not only worsen frontline emergencies but weaken more stable countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya, which will have no back-up if rains fail again.Kitchen said that, beyond moral considerations, the cuts will aggravate migration, a top consideration for Trump."It's self-interest. If insecurity spreads, outbreaks spread, there's no line of defense anymore."

Obama, who like Bush has been sparing in openly criticising Trump, said that ending USAID was "inexplicable" and "will go down as a colossal mistake."

The US foreign aid agency formally closed down Tuesday, with President Donald Trump's administration trumpeting the end of the "charity-based model" despite predictions that millions of lives will be lost. Founded in 1961 as John F. Kennedy sought to leverage aid to win over the developing world in the Cold War, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has now been incorporated into the State Department -- after Secretary of State Marco Rubio slashed 85 percent of its programming. In a farewell to remaining staff on Monday, former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama -- as well as U2 frontman Bono -- saluted their work and said it was still needed. Bush pointed to PEPFAR, the massive US effort to fight HIV/AIDS that he considers one of the top achievements of his 2001-2009 Republican presidency. "This program shows a fundamental question facing our country -- is it in our nation's interest that 25 million people who would have died now live? I think it is," Bush said in a video message seen by AFP. Obama, who like Bush has been sparing in openly criticising Trump, said that ending USAID was "inexplicable" and "will go down as a colossal mistake." "Gutting USAID is a travesty and it is a tragedy because it's some of the most important work happening anywhere in the world," the Democrat said. A study published in the medical journal The Lancet predicted that more than 14 million people would die, a third of them small children, by 2030 due to the foreign aid cuts. - 'Little to show' - Rubio painted a drastically different picture of USAID, which was an early target of a sweeping government cost-cutting drive led for Trump by billionaire Elon Musk. Rubio said that USAID's "charity-based model" fueled "addiction" by developing nations' leaders and that trade was more effective. "Beyond creating a globe-spanning NGO industrial complex at taxpayer expense, USAID has little to show since the end of the Cold War," Rubio wrote in an essay. He also complained that many recipients of US aid do not vote with the United States at the United Nations and that rival China often enjoys higher favorability among the public. A senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that The Lancet study relied on "incorrect assumptions" and said the United States will continue aid but in a "more efficient" way. He said that PEPFAR will remain, with a priority on stopping HIV transmission from mothers to children. But he acknowledged the United States was no longer funding PrEP medication, which significantly reduces the rate of HIV transmission and has been encouraged by high-risk communities. "No one is saying that gay men in Africa shouldn't be on PrEP. That's wonderful. It doesn't mean that the United States has to pay for every single thing," the official said. He said the Trump administration was looking at "new and innovative solutions" and pointed to food deliveries in war-battered Gaza staffed by US military contractors and surrounded by Israeli troops. Witnesses, the United Nations and local Gaza officials have reported that Israeli troops have repeatedly opened fire and killed Palestinians waiting for aid -- although the US-backed initiative, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, denies any deadly incidents. - 'No line of defense' - Bob Kitchen, the vice president for emergencies at the International Rescue Committee, said that the 14 million death prediction was consistent with what the humanitarian group was seeing. Among the group's programming that was funded through USAID, he said that nearly 400,000 refugees who fled the war in Sudan have now been deprived of acute aid and that more than 500,000 Afghans, mostly women and girls, have been cut off from education and healthcare. European Union nations and Britain, rather than filling the gap, have also stepped back as they ramp up defense spending with encouragement from Trump. Kitchen warned that cuts will not only worsen frontline emergencies but weaken more stable countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya, which will have no back-up if rains fail again. Kitchen said that, beyond moral considerations, the cuts will aggravate migration, a top consideration for Trump. "It's self-interest. If insecurity spreads, outbreaks spread, there's no line of defense anymore."

Obama, who like Bush has been sparing in openly criticising Trump, said that ending USAID was "inexplicable" and "will go down as a colossal mistake."

USAID ceases operations after six decades, confirms Rubio; global aid community reacts with alarm

Donald Trump's two top executives, on Wednesday (Jun 25) at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in The Hague, confirmed that a bombshell US intelligence report on Iran airstrikes was, in fact, leaked. They then quickly pivoted to denouncing the people behind the leak, calling the move politically motivated and demanding accountability. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio assumed an aggressive counteroffensive against the leaked preliminary Pentagon report that said that US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites only set the nation's nuclear programme back by a few months.<h2>What did Rubio and Hegseth say?</h2>Confirming the bombshell leak, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at a NATO summit in the Netherlands alongside US President Donald Trump, sought to downplay the contents of the preliminary Pentagon assessment.While Trump continues to insist that the strikes caused a "total obliteration" of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the leak, first reported by CNN and The New York Times, suggested that the underground facilities had survived the attack, with entrances sealed but no collapse of the critical subterranean infrastructure. Furthermore, the intel estimated that the damage had only caused a few months' setback to Iran's programme and not years, as Trump claimed.At the press conference, Hegseth accused unnamed insiders of leaking the report for political purposes and revealed that an FBI-led investigation was underway. "We are doing a leak investigation with the FBI now because this information is for internal purposes—battle damage investigation—and CNN and others are trying to spin it to try and make the president look bad when this was an overwhelming success," he said.He defended the precision and power of the operation, saying that "When you talk to the people who built the bombs, understand what those bombs can do, and deliver those bombs, they landed precisely where they were supposed to." Hegseth claimed the Fordow facility, buried deep within a mountain, suffered "devastation," thanks to the "30,000 pounds of explosives", even as early assessments described the damage as "moderate to severe.""The amount of munitions—six per location—any assessment that tells you it was something otherwise, is speculating with other motives, and we know that, because when you actually look at the report—by the way, it was a top secret report—it was preliminary, it was low-confidence, so you make assessments based on what you know," Hegseth said adding that he believed that the damage was likely "severe and obliterated".Rubio, taking a sharper tone, dismissed the leakers as "professional stabbers" and suggested the media was manipulating the intelligence. "On this stuff about the intelligence—this is what a leaker is telling you the intelligence says. That's the game these people play. They read it and then they go out and characterise it the way they want," he said.Rubio added that a key "conversion facility" necessary for weaponising uranium had been "wiped out," although he acknowledged that "anything in the world can be rebuilt." Still, he argued that Iran would now be under closer watch: "We know where it is, and if they try to rebuild it, we will have options there as well".<h2>Trump lashes out at media</h2>Trump also conceded that the report was "correct" but lashed out at the press over the leaked report, singling out outlets by name. "CNN is scum, MSDNC is scum, the New York Times is scum," he told reporters. "They're bad people, they’re sick.""What they've done is they’ve tried to make this unbelievable victory into something less, “he said, insisting that the report's interpretation was off. Painting the reports as a way to get ratings, he added, ”The generals and all of the people who did a good job, they get demeaned by these idiots at CNN, who can't get ratings. The place is dying, nobody even wants to waste their time going on any of their shows, so they form what [sic] The New York Times, which is dying also. Without Trump, you wouldn't have a New York Times." &nbsp;

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio assumed an aggressive counteroffensive against the leaked preliminary Pentagon report that said that US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites only set the nation's nuclear programme back by a few months.

Donald Trump's two top executives, on Wednesday (Jun 25) at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in The Hague, confirmed that a bombshell US intelligence report on Iran airstrikes was, in fact, leaked. They then quickly pivoted to denouncing the people behind the leak, calling the move politically motivated and demanding accountability. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio assumed an aggressive counteroffensive against the leaked preliminary Pentagon report that said that US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites only set the nation's nuclear programme back by a few months. What did Rubio and Hegseth say? Confirming the bombshell leak, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at a NATO summit in the Netherlands alongside US President Donald Trump, sought to downplay the contents of the preliminary Pentagon assessment. While Trump continues to insist that the strikes caused a "total obliteration" of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the leak, first reported by CNN and The New York Times, suggested that the underground facilities had survived the attack, with entrances sealed but no collapse of the critical subterranean infrastructure. Furthermore, the intel estimated that the damage had only caused a few months' setback to Iran's programme and not years, as Trump claimed. At the press conference, Hegseth accused unnamed insiders of leaking the report for political purposes and revealed that an FBI-led investigation was underway. "We are doing a leak investigation with the FBI now because this information is for internal purposes—battle damage investigation—and CNN and others are trying to spin it to try and make the president look bad when this was an overwhelming success," he said. He defended the precision and power of the operation, saying that "When you talk to the people who built the bombs, understand what those bombs can do, and deliver those bombs, they landed precisely where they were supposed to." Hegseth claimed the Fordow facility, buried deep within a mountain, suffered "devastation," thanks to the "30,000 pounds of explosives", even as early assessments described the damage as "moderate to severe." "The amount of munitions—six per location—any assessment that tells you it was something otherwise, is speculating with other motives, and we know that, because when you actually look at the report—by the way, it was a top secret report—it was preliminary, it was low-confidence, so you make assessments based on what you know," Hegseth said adding that he believed that the damage was likely "severe and obliterated". Rubio, taking a sharper tone, dismissed the leakers as "professional stabbers" and suggested the media was manipulating the intelligence. "On this stuff about the intelligence—this is what a leaker is telling you the intelligence says. That's the game these people play. They read it and then they go out and characterise it the way they want," he said. Rubio added that a key "conversion facility" necessary for weaponising uranium had been "wiped out," although he acknowledged that "anything in the world can be rebuilt." Still, he argued that Iran would now be under closer watch: "We know where it is, and if they try to rebuild it, we will have options there as well". Trump lashes out at media Trump also conceded that the report was "correct" but lashed out at the press over the leaked report, singling out outlets by name. "CNN is scum, MSDNC is scum, the New York Times is scum," he told reporters. "They're bad people, they’re sick." "What they've done is they’ve tried to make this unbelievable victory into something less, “he said, insisting that the report's interpretation was off. Painting the reports as a way to get ratings, he added, ”The generals and all of the people who did a good job, they get demeaned by these idiots at CNN, who can't get ratings. The place is dying, nobody even wants to waste their time going on any of their shows, so they form what [sic] The New York Times, which is dying also. Without Trump, you wouldn't have a New York Times."

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio assumed an aggressive counteroffensive against the leaked preliminary Pentagon report that said that US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites only set the nation's nuclear programme back by a few months.

Rubio, Hegseth admit US intel on Iran strikes is real — but there's a catch. Here's what they said

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned Iran against trying to close the Strait of Hormuz, saying that it will be another terrible mistake by Tehran, and the decision would be economic suicide for the Islamic Republic. Rubio, who also serves as national security adviser, made the comments on the ‘Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo’ show on Fox News. Rubio also warned Iran against trying any retaliation against US over the strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and said that such an action would be “the worst mistake they’ve ever made.”&nbsp;When Maria Bartiromo asked Rubio if he expects Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz to disrupt oil transportation, Rubio said, “If they do that, it will be another terrible mistake. It’s economic suicide for them if they do it, and we retain options to deal with that.”&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/MariaBartiromo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MariaBartiromo</a>: Do you expect Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz to disrupt oil transportation?<a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRubio</a>: &quot;If they do that, it will be another terrible mistake. It&#39;s economic suicide for them if they do it, and we retain options to deal with that.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/Y9aIxDw0XY">pic.twitter.com/Y9aIxDw0XY</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1936794523931193610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He also warned Iran against trying any misadventure of retaliation for the strikes and said it should turn to diplomacy.“What happens next will now depend on what Iran chooses to do next. If they choose the path of diplomacy, we’re ready. We can do a deal that’s good for them, the Iranian people, and good for the world. If they choose another route, then there’ll be consequences,” the Secretary of State said in the ‘Face the Nation’ show on CBS News.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRubio</a>: &quot;What happens next will now depend on what Iran chooses to do next. If they choose the path of diplomacy, we&#39;re ready. We can do a deal that&#39;s good for them, the Iranian people, and good for the world. If they choose another route, then there&#39;ll be consequences.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/f6ydFNq8RH">pic.twitter.com/f6ydFNq8RH</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1936796747004625082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He added that the offer for diplomacy with Iran is still open and that regime change is “not the goal” of the United States.“The President said very clearly, we have 60 days to make progress on a deal, and if we don’t, I’m going to deal with it differently... [Our military] went in, they did what they needed to do with precision and skill that no other military in the world can do, and they left.” &nbsp;Slamming Iran for not being sincere during the 60-day window for talks offered by President Trump, Rubio said Tehran was trying to play its old games. “They thought they could do with President Trump what they’ve done with presidents in the past and get away with it — and they found out last night that they can’t,” Rubio added.“This is a President that tells you what he’s going to do and then he does it.”&nbsp;“We achieved our objective. No one, after last night, should be under any illusions ... When this President says he’s going to do something, he’s not just wasting words. He means it,” the secretary said.“There is no country in the world that can do what the United States did last night ... It was executed with extraordinary skill, and I think it demonstrates the capabilities we have.”&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecRubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecRubio</a>: &quot;Why does Hamas exist? Because of Iran... Who built the IEDs that maimed and killed American soldiers in Iraq? Iran. They&#39;re behind every problem in this region... Imagine those people having a nuclear weapon... That is unacceptable.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/bgmt6erQKf">pic.twitter.com/bgmt6erQKf</a>&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1936792593301385714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Blaming Iran for the multiple problems and the instability in the Middle East, Rubio said, “Why does Hezbollah exist? Why does Hamas exist? Because of Iran... Who built the IEDs that maimed and killed American soldiers in Iraq? Iran. They’re behind every problem in this region... Imagine those people having a nuclear weapon... That is unacceptable.”

Slamming Iran for not being sincere during the talks, Rubio said Tehran was trying to play its old games. “They thought they could do with President Trump what they’ve done with presidents in the past and get away with it — and they found out last night that they can’t,” Rubio added.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned Iran against trying to close the Strait of Hormuz, saying that it will be another terrible mistake by Tehran, and the decision would be economic suicide for the Islamic Republic. Rubio, who also serves as national security adviser, made the comments on the ‘Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo’ show on Fox News. Rubio also warned Iran against trying any retaliation against US over the strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and said that such an action would be “the worst mistake they’ve ever made.” When Maria Bartiromo asked Rubio if he expects Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz to disrupt oil transportation, Rubio said, “If they do that, it will be another terrible mistake. It’s economic suicide for them if they do it, and we retain options to deal with that.”

Slamming Iran for not being sincere during the talks, Rubio said Tehran was trying to play its old games. “They thought they could do with President Trump what they’ve done with presidents in the past and get away with it — and they found out last night that they can’t,” Rubio added.

If Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz, it will be economic suicide for them: Marco Rubio

The US State Department on Wednesday (Jun 18) said that it was resuming the visa appointments for foreign students, but all applicants will be required to unlock their social media accounts for vetting by the government.&nbsp;The department said that consular officers are required to conduct a “comprehensive and thorough vetting” of all student and exchange visitor applicants to identify those who “bear hostile attitudes toward our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles,” said the cable sent to US missions on Wednesday, according to Reuters.&nbsp;Last month, US President Donald Trump’s administration ordered its missions abroad to stop scheduling new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants. It added that the department intended to expand its social media screening of foreign students.&nbsp;According to a cable dated June 18, Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered all US diplomatic missions to look for “applicants who demonstrate a history of political activism, especially when it is associated with violence or with the views and activities described above, you must consider the likelihood they would continue such activity in the United States.”&nbsp;The cable, first reported by Free Press, also authorised the consular officers to ask applicants to make their social media accounts public.&nbsp;“Remind the applicant that limited access to....online presence could be construed as an effort to evade or hide certain activity,” the cable said.&nbsp;The directive added that officers should look for any potentially derogatory information about the applicant during the vetting process.&nbsp;“For example, during an online presence search, you might discover on social media that an applicant endorsed Hamas or its activities,” the cable said. It added that this may be a reason for the ineligibility of an applicant.&nbsp;Rubio has said that he has revoked hundreds, perhaps thousands, of visa applications of people, including students, saying they were involved in activities that went against US foreign policy priorities. The activities include a pro-Palestinian stance and criticism of Israel in the Gaza war.&nbsp;Trump’s critics have said that the administration’s moves violate the free speech rights under the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

The directive added that officers should look for any potentially derogatory information about the applicant during the vetting process.

The US State Department on Wednesday (Jun 18) said that it was resuming the visa appointments for foreign students, but all applicants will be required to unlock their social media accounts for vetting by the government. The department said that consular officers are required to conduct a “comprehensive and thorough vetting” of all student and exchange visitor applicants to identify those who “bear hostile attitudes toward our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles,” said the cable sent to US missions on Wednesday, according to Reuters. Last month, US President Donald Trump’s administration ordered its missions abroad to stop scheduling new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants. It added that the department intended to expand its social media screening of foreign students. According to a cable dated June 18, Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered all US diplomatic missions to look for “applicants who demonstrate a history of political activism, especially when it is associated with violence or with the views and activities described above, you must consider the likelihood they would continue such activity in the United States.” The cable, first reported by Free Press, also authorised the consular officers to ask applicants to make their social media accounts public. “Remind the applicant that limited access to....online presence could be construed as an effort to evade or hide certain activity,” the cable said. The directive added that officers should look for any potentially derogatory information about the applicant during the vetting process. “For example, during an online presence search, you might discover on social media that an applicant endorsed Hamas or its activities,” the cable said. It added that this may be a reason for the ineligibility of an applicant. Rubio has said that he has revoked hundreds, perhaps thousands, of visa applications of people, including students, saying they were involved in activities that went against US foreign policy priorities. The activities include a pro-Palestinian stance and criticism of Israel in the Gaza war. Trump’s critics have said that the administration’s moves violate the free speech rights under the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

The directive added that officers should look for any potentially derogatory information about the applicant during the vetting process.

Trump administration resumes foreign students’ visas - but there’s a catch

Beijing on Wednesday slammed as an "attack" comments made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.Chinese troops and tanks forcibly cleared peaceful protesters from Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, after weeks-long demonstrations demanding greater political freedoms.The exact toll is unknown but hundreds died, with some estimates exceeding 1,000 people. China's communist rulers have since sought to erase any public mention of the crackdown."The erroneous statements by the US side maliciously distort historical facts, deliberately attack China's political system and developmental path, and seriously interfere in China's internal affairs," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on the 36th anniversary of the crackdown. "The Chinese side is strongly dissatisfied with this and firmly opposes it. We have lodged a solemn protest with the US side."Rubio said earlier the "world will never forget" what happened on June 4, even as Beijing "actively tries to censor the facts"."Today, we commemorate the bravery of the Chinese people who were killed as they tried to exercise their fundamental freedoms, as well as those who continue to suffer persecution as they seek accountability and justice for the events of June 4, 1989," Rubio said in a statement.China's foreign ministry spokesman Lin hit back on Wednesday, telling a regular news conference: "As for the political turmoil that happened in the late 1980s, the Chinese government has long had a clear conclusion."

China slams Rubio, calls his Tiananmen Square crackdown comments an attack


Beijing on Wednesday slammed as an "attack" comments made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. Chinese troops and tanks forcibly cleared peaceful protesters from Beijing's Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989, after weeks-long demonstrations demanding greater political freedoms. The exact toll is unknown but hundreds died, with some estimates exceeding 1,000 people. China's communist rulers have since sought to erase any public mention of the crackdown. "The erroneous statements by the US side maliciously distort historical facts, deliberately attack China's political system and developmental path, and seriously interfere in China's internal affairs," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on the 36th anniversary of the crackdown. "The Chinese side is strongly dissatisfied with this and firmly opposes it. We have lodged a solemn protest with the US side." Rubio said earlier the "world will never forget" what happened on June 4, even as Beijing "actively tries to censor the facts". "Today, we commemorate the bravery of the Chinese people who were killed as they tried to exercise their fundamental freedoms, as well as those who continue to suffer persecution as they seek accountability and justice for the events of June 4, 1989," Rubio said in a statement. China's foreign ministry spokesman Lin hit back on Wednesday, telling a regular news conference: "As for the political turmoil that happened in the late 1980s, the Chinese government has long had a clear conclusion."

Beijing on Wednesday slammed as an "attack" comments made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.

China slams Rubio, calls his Tiananmen Square crackdown comments an 'attack'

Dozens of staffers were abruptly fired from the White House National Security Council on Friday, as President Donald Trump moved to dramatically slash the scope and size of the once-powerful body, said people familiar with the matter. Staff dealing with major geopolitical issues, from Ukraine to Kashmir, were terminated, said sources while requesting anonymity.The move came just weeks after Secretary of State Marco Rubio took over from Mike Waltz as national security adviser. &nbsp;The NSC restructuring is likely to further shrink the agency’s influence, in a big transformation from an influential policymaking body into a small organisation focused on simply implementing the president’s agenda, the sources said.&nbsp;The move will pave the way for giving more authority to the State Department, the Defense Department, and other departments and agencies involved in diplomacy, national security, and intelligence matters.The Trump administration aims to reduce the final headcount at NSC to just a few dozen people.&nbsp;Previously, the NSC staff was involved in key decisions regarding America’s approach to the world’s most volatile conflicts.&nbsp;Several high-ranking staffers were fired earlier this year after right-wing conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer handed Trump a list of staffers she perceived to be disloyal. &nbsp;The cuts were made under President Donald Trump’s new national security adviser, Marco Rubio, who also is serving as secretary of state. Rubio, who has emerged as a key figure in the administration, was tapped for the White House post early this month after his predecessor as national security adviser, Michael Waltz, was pushed aside following a series of missteps.&nbsp;Waltz, the previous national security adviser, had accidentally shared information on an imminent bombing campaign in Yemen with an Atlantic journalist. Trump has said he intends to nominate Waltz to be his ambassador to the United Nations. Most NSC staffers are from other parts of the federal government and were expected to go back to their home agencies, including the State Department, Pentagon and intelligence agencies.Since Waltz’s ouster, administration officials have signalled a major scale-down of the National Security Council was imminent. Some have argued that the NSC had become bloated under previous administrations.&nbsp;Hegseth curtails press access inside Pentagon to curb leaks&nbsp;Meanwhile, defense secretary Pete Hegseth dramatically curtailed press access inside the Pentagon in a move deemed as punishing the news media for reporting on leaks of classified and unclassified information in the recent weeks.&nbsp;The changes, announced in a two-page memo issued by Hegseth, effectively boxed credentialed reporters into one corner on one floor of the building that houses the press office and spaces used by news organisations.&nbsp;Reporters will now need to request permission to walk anywhere else in the Pentagon, including past areas occupied by the joint chiefs and the press office for the joint chiefs, and will be escorted by an official, the memo said.&nbsp;Reporters will also be banned from accessing the Pentagon Athletic Center and be issued new credentials, which more clearly state the word “PRESS” on the badge. The current credential has the letters written in regular size at the bottom.&nbsp;Hegseth said he was adding the most draconian access restrictions in decades in a bid to limit the number of leaks coming from the Pentagon.

The NSC restructuring is likely to further shrink the agency’s influence, in a big transformation from an influential policymaking body into a small organisation focused on simply implementing the president’s agenda, the sources said.



Dozens of staffers were abruptly fired from the White House National Security Council on Friday, as President Donald Trump moved to dramatically slash the scope and size of the once-powerful body, said people familiar with the matter. Staff dealing with major geopolitical issues, from Ukraine to Kashmir, were terminated, said sources while requesting anonymity. The move came just weeks after Secretary of State Marco Rubio took over from Mike Waltz as national security adviser. The NSC restructuring is likely to further shrink the agency’s influence, in a big transformation from an influential policymaking body into a small organisation focused on simply implementing the president’s agenda, the sources said. The move will pave the way for giving more authority to the State Department, the Defense Department, and other departments and agencies involved in diplomacy, national security, and intelligence matters. The Trump administration aims to reduce the final headcount at NSC to just a few dozen people. Previously, the NSC staff was involved in key decisions regarding America’s approach to the world’s most volatile conflicts. Several high-ranking staffers were fired earlier this year after right-wing conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer handed Trump a list of staffers she perceived to be disloyal. The cuts were made under President Donald Trump’s new national security adviser, Marco Rubio, who also is serving as secretary of state. Rubio, who has emerged as a key figure in the administration, was tapped for the White House post early this month after his predecessor as national security adviser, Michael Waltz, was pushed aside following a series of missteps. Waltz, the previous national security adviser, had accidentally shared information on an imminent bombing campaign in Yemen with an Atlantic journalist. Trump has said he intends to nominate Waltz to be his ambassador to the United Nations. Most NSC staffers are from other parts of the federal government and were expected to go back to their home agencies, including the State Department, Pentagon and intelligence agencies. Since Waltz’s ouster, administration officials have signalled a major scale-down of the National Security Council was imminent. Some have argued that the NSC had become bloated under previous administrations. Hegseth curtails press access inside Pentagon to curb leaks Meanwhile, defense secretary Pete Hegseth dramatically curtailed press access inside the Pentagon in a move deemed as punishing the news media for reporting on leaks of classified and unclassified information in the recent weeks. The changes, announced in a two-page memo issued by Hegseth, effectively boxed credentialed reporters into one corner on one floor of the building that houses the press office and spaces used by news organisations. Reporters will now need to request permission to walk anywhere else in the Pentagon, including past areas occupied by the joint chiefs and the press office for the joint chiefs, and will be escorted by an official, the memo said. Reporters will also be banned from accessing the Pentagon Athletic Center and be issued new credentials, which more clearly state the word “PRESS” on the badge. The current credential has the letters written in regular size at the bottom. Hegseth said he was adding the most draconian access restrictions in decades in a bid to limit the number of leaks coming from the Pentagon.

The NSC restructuring is likely to further shrink the agency’s influence, in a big transformation from an influential policymaking body into a small organisation focused on simply implementing the president’s agenda, the sources said.&nbsp;

White House dismisses dozens of National Security Council staff in Trump-backed downsizing

India has firmly pushed back against claims made by US President Donald Trump and his administration that the United States helped broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor. 
The Indian government has said that the decision to de-escalate was made after a discussion between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both countries.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/trump-reacts-to-india-pakistan-ceasefire-agreement-operation-sindoor-nuclear-war-pahalgam-terror-attack-9061528" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Could have been a bad nuclear war': Trump reacts to India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement</a>
<h2>India says no trade talks linked to ceasefire</h2>
According to Indian officials, US Vice President JD Vance spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 May, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio held discussions with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on 8 and 10 May, and with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on 10 May. However, New Delhi has clarified that &ldquo;there was no reference to trade in any of these conversations.&rdquo;
This directly contradicts claims made by Donald Trump in public statements, where he suggested trade incentives were used to push both nations toward peace.
<h2>Trump claims credit for ceasefire, India says otherwise</h2>
Speaking to the media earlier, Trump said, "I'm very proud to let you know that the leadership of Indian and Pakistan was unwavering and powerful... We helped a lot, and we also helped with trade. I said, Come on, we're going to do a lot of trade with you guys. Let's stop it... If you stop it, we're doing trade. If you don't stop it, we're not going to do any trade."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indo-pak-war-can-pakistan-use-f-16s-against-india-operation-sindoor-pakistan-drone-attack-pahalgam-terror-attack-9050088" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Operation Sindoor: Can Pakistan use F-16s against India? Here&rsquo;s what the rules say</a>
He added, "People have never really used trade the way I used it... and all of a sudden they said, I think we're gonna stop, and they have."
On Saturday (May 10), Trump also posted on Truth Social, saying, "After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both countries for using Common Sense and Great Intelligence."
<h2>India insists talks were military-led and Pakistan initiated</h2>
India, however, maintains a very different version of events. According to the Indian government, the ceasefire agreement was finalised after direct military-level communication between the DGMOs of both countries on Saturday, 10 May. These discussions were reportedly initiated by Pakistan, not the United States.

India News: The Indian government has said that the decision to de-escalate was made after a discussion between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both countries.

India has firmly pushed back against claims made by US President Donald Trump and his administration that the United States helped broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor. The Indian government has said that the decision to de-escalate was made after a discussion between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) from both countries. Also read: 'Could have been a bad nuclear war': Trump reacts to India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement India says no trade talks linked to ceasefire According to Indian officials, US Vice President JD Vance spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 May, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio held discussions with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on 8 and 10 May, and with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on 10 May. However, New Delhi has clarified that “there was no reference to trade in any of these conversations.” This directly contradicts claims made by Donald Trump in public statements, where he suggested trade incentives were used to push both nations toward peace. Trump claims credit for ceasefire, India says otherwise Speaking to the media earlier, Trump said, "I'm very proud to let you know that the leadership of Indian and Pakistan was unwavering and powerful... We helped a lot, and we also helped with trade. I said, Come on, we're going to do a lot of trade with you guys. Let's stop it... If you stop it, we're doing trade. If you don't stop it, we're not going to do any trade." Also read: Operation Sindoor: Can Pakistan use F-16s against India? Here’s what the rules say He added, "People have never really used trade the way I used it... and all of a sudden they said, I think we're gonna stop, and they have." On Saturday (May 10), Trump also posted on Truth Social, saying, "After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both countries for using Common Sense and Great Intelligence." India insists talks were military-led and Pakistan initiated India, however, maintains a very different version of events. According to the Indian government, the ceasefire agreement was finalised after direct military-level communication between the DGMOs of both countries on Saturday, 10 May. These discussions were reportedly initiated by Pakistan, not the United States.

India-Pak ceasefire | Did Trump’s 'trade for peace' claim actually happen? Here's what India said

There had been a noticeable shift in the recent statements of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the escalation between India and Pakistan.
<h2>Statement from today (May 10)</h2>
On May 10, the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in calls with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, he emphasised the need for both sides to find methods to de-escalate and re-establish proper communication to avoid miscalculation. He assured that the US will play the role of a mediator to facilitate effective communication between the two to avoid future escalations.
Also Read: <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indo-pak-war-amid-escalating-tensions-pakistan-pm-calls-for-national-command-authority-meeting-why-is-it-significant-9053819" aria-label="Indo-Pak war: Amid escalating tensions, Pakistan PM calls for National Command Authority meeting. Why is it significant" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Indo-Pak war: Amid escalating tensions, Pakistan PM calls for National Command Authority meeting. Why is it significant</a>
<h2>Statement from yesterday (May 9)</h2>
On May 9, the US Secretary of State engaged in two distinct calls, one with the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan,&nbsp;Ishaq Dar, and the&nbsp;Pakistani Army Chief, Asim Munir. In both conversations, he reiterated the need to establish dialogue between India and Pakistan to avoid escalation, which might spill into full-scale war. He also assured that the US is willing to contribute to fostering diplomatic talks between the two nations.
Also Read: <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pakistan-war-senior-jk-officials-among-three-killed-in-rajouri-shelling-9053602" aria-label="India- Pakistan war: Senior J&amp;K official among three killed in Rajouri shelling" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">India- Pakistan war: Senior J&amp;K official among three killed in Rajouri shelling</a>
<h2>Statement from two days ago (May 8)</h2>
On May 8, Secretary Rubio engaged in separate calls with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.&nbsp; During these discussions, he emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation between the two nations.&nbsp; He also urged Pakistan to end any support for terrorist groups, following India's Operation Sindoor, which was a response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack that resulted in 26 civilian deaths.&nbsp;
Also Read:&nbsp;<a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indo-pak-war-omar-abdullah-slams-imf-for-essentialy-reimbursing-pakistan-for-devastating-jk-9053772" aria-label="Indo-Pak war: Omar Abdullah slams IMF for 'essentialy reimbursing' Pakistan for devastating J&amp;K">Indo-Pak war: Omar Abdullah slams IMF for 'essentialy reimbursing' Pakistan for devastating J&amp;K</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">US role</h2>
United States, most of the outreach involved engagement with political leaders in the country; however, there is a noticeable shift in the level of engagement. Previously, Secretary Rubio urged&nbsp;de-escalation and addressing support for terrorist groups now. The subsequent engagement included direct communication with military leadership, offering to play as a mediator to foster effective talks, i.e. playing an active role.&nbsp;
These developments underscore the United States' evolving approach to mitigating tensions between India and Pakistan, moving from diplomatic advisories to active engagement in conflict resolution efforts.
Also Read: <a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indo-pak-war-how-us-schooled-pakistan-after-india-shot-down-a-pakistani-f-16-after-2019-balakot-strike-operation-sindoor-9053104" aria-label="Indo-Pak War | &lsquo;Concerning, inconsistent&rsquo;: How US schooled Pakistan after India shot down a Pakistani F-16 after 2019&nbsp;Balakot&nbsp;strike" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Indo-Pak War | &lsquo;Concerning, inconsistent&rsquo;: How US schooled Pakistan after India shot down a Pakistani F-16 after 2019&nbsp;Balakot&nbsp;strike</a>

Learn about the US's strategic shift to direct engagement with military leaders, marking a change in its involvement in India-Pakistan relations. World | India News

There had been a noticeable shift in the recent statements of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the escalation between India and Pakistan. Statement from today (May 10) On May 10, the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in calls with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, he emphasised the need for both sides to find methods to de-escalate and re-establish proper communication to avoid miscalculation. He assured that the US will play the role of a mediator to facilitate effective communication between the two to avoid future escalations. Also Read: Indo-Pak war: Amid escalating tensions, Pakistan PM calls for National Command Authority meeting. Why is it significant Statement from yesterday (May 9) On May 9, the US Secretary of State engaged in two distinct calls, one with the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan, Ishaq Dar, and the Pakistani Army Chief, Asim Munir. In both conversations, he reiterated the need to establish dialogue between India and Pakistan to avoid escalation, which might spill into full-scale war. He also assured that the US is willing to contribute to fostering diplomatic talks between the two nations. Also Read: India- Pakistan war: Senior J&K official among three killed in Rajouri shelling Statement from two days ago (May 8) On May 8, Secretary Rubio engaged in separate calls with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. During these discussions, he emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation between the two nations. He also urged Pakistan to end any support for terrorist groups, following India's Operation Sindoor, which was a response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack that resulted in 26 civilian deaths. Also Read: Indo-Pak war: Omar Abdullah slams IMF for 'essentialy reimbursing' Pakistan for devastating J&K US role United States, most of the outreach involved engagement with political leaders in the country; however, there is a noticeable shift in the level of engagement. Previously, Secretary Rubio urged de-escalation and addressing support for terrorist groups now. The subsequent engagement included direct communication with military leadership, offering to play as a mediator to foster effective talks, i.e. playing an active role. These developments underscore the United States' evolving approach to mitigating tensions between India and Pakistan, moving from diplomatic advisories to active engagement in conflict resolution efforts. Also Read: Indo-Pak War | ‘Concerning, inconsistent’: How US schooled Pakistan after India shot down a Pakistani F-16 after 2019 Balakot strike

Rubio shifts from diplomatic appeal to mediation in India-Pakistan crisis

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/donald-trump" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a> made it clear on Sunday (May 04) that he will not seek a third term in the White House, citing constitutional barriers. In an interview on NBC&rsquo;s Meet the Press, he said he intends to serve &ldquo;four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican.&rdquo;
<h2>Vance vs Rubio: Who&rsquo;s next?</h2>
When pressed on who might follow him, Trump avoided picking a single favourite but mentioned two leading figures: Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-not-sure-about-upholding-us-constitution-as-his-administration-defies-supreme-court-9032545" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">&lsquo;I don&rsquo;t know&rsquo;: Trump not sure about upholding US Constitution as his administration defies Supreme Court</a>
&ldquo;I think [Vance is] a fantastic, brilliant guy. Marco is great. There&rsquo;s a lot of them that are great,&rdquo; Trump told host Kristen Welker.
Asked whether Vance tops the list, he replied, &ldquo;It could very well be&hellip; I don&rsquo;t want to get involved in that.&rdquo;
<h2>Passing the MAGA torch</h2>
Trump described the MAGA movement as &ldquo;the greatest political movement in history&rdquo; and voiced his desire to hand its leadership to a capable successor. He noted there were plenty of contenders, &ldquo;many people selling the Trump 2028 hat&rdquo;, but said he was focused on completing his term.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-walks-back-third-term-talk-says-its-not-allowed-9032610" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Trump dismisses third term speculation: &lsquo;It&rsquo;s not allowed&rsquo;</a>
&ldquo;But this is not something I&rsquo;m looking to do. I&rsquo;m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward,&rdquo; Trump said.
<h2>Why do Vance and Rubio stand out?</h2>
JD Vance has become a prominent voice in conservative circles and is now the sitting vice president. Marco Rubio, once mocked by Trump as &ldquo;Li&rsquo;l Marco,&rdquo; has risen to hold four senior posts: Secretary of State, interim National Security Adviser, acting administrator of USAID and acting archivist of the United States.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/good-parts-are-trump-economy-bad-parts-are-biden-economy-is-trump-passing-blame-to-former-president-for-his-policies-9032872" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">&lsquo;Good parts are Trump economy, bad parts are Biden economy&rsquo;: Is Trump passing blame to former president for his policies?</a>

World: President Donald Trump ruled out a third term, citing 22nd Amendment, and said he’ll serve four more years before passing the MAGA torch to “a great Republican.”

President Donald Trump made it clear on Sunday (May 04) that he will not seek a third term in the White House, citing constitutional barriers. In an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, he said he intends to serve “four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican.” Vance vs Rubio: Who’s next? When pressed on who might follow him, Trump avoided picking a single favourite but mentioned two leading figures: Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Also read: ‘I don’t know’: Trump not sure about upholding US Constitution as his administration defies Supreme Court “I think [Vance is] a fantastic, brilliant guy. Marco is great. There’s a lot of them that are great,” Trump told host Kristen Welker. Asked whether Vance tops the list, he replied, “It could very well be… I don’t want to get involved in that.” Passing the MAGA torch Trump described the MAGA movement as “the greatest political movement in history” and voiced his desire to hand its leadership to a capable successor. He noted there were plenty of contenders, “many people selling the Trump 2028 hat”, but said he was focused on completing his term. Also read: Trump dismisses third term speculation: ‘It’s not allowed’ “But this is not something I’m looking to do. I’m looking to have four great years and turn it over to somebody, ideally a great Republican, a great Republican to carry it forward,” Trump said. Why do Vance and Rubio stand out? JD Vance has become a prominent voice in conservative circles and is now the sitting vice president. Marco Rubio, once mocked by Trump as “Li’l Marco,” has risen to hold four senior posts: Secretary of State, interim National Security Adviser, acting administrator of USAID and acting archivist of the United States. Also read: ‘Good parts are Trump economy, bad parts are Biden economy’: Is Trump passing blame to former president for his policies?

‘Vance is fantastic, Marco is great’: Trump picks two MAGA heirs as third term talk dies - What makes them stand out?

Australia&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-general-elections-albanese-vs-dutton-amid-trump-chaos-9011981" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anthony Albanese</a>&nbsp;won a historic second term in Australia on Saturday (May 3), marking the first time in 21 years that an Australian prime minister has won a second consecutive term.&nbsp;His centre-left&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-election-result-anthony-albanese-secures-historic-second-term-as-labor-party-set-to-retain-majority-9029587" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Labor </a>Party is poised to retain its majority government.
India continued its offensive against Pakistan and announced a slew of tough decisions that will severely impact the economy of the neighbouring country over its continued support to cross-border terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack.
<h2>Click on the headlines for more</h2>
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-election-result-anthony-albanese-secures-historic-second-term-as-labor-party-set-to-retain-majority-9029587">Australia Election Result: Anthony Albanese secures historic second term as Labor Party set to retain majority</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/05/03/Zs8t66oLxBDehxB0wU0Z.png" alt=" Anthony Albanese Photograph: (X/AnthonyAlbanese) ">
Australia&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-general-elections-albanese-vs-dutton-amid-trump-chaos-9011981" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anthony Albanese</a>&nbsp;won a historic second term in Australia on Saturday (May 3), marking the first time in 21 years that an Australian prime minister has won a second consecutive term.&nbsp;His centre-left&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-election-result-anthony-albanese-secures-historic-second-term-as-labor-party-set-to-retain-majority-9029587" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Labor</a>Party is poised to retain its majority government
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pahalgam-attack-india-cracks-the-whip-bans-all-pak-imports-mails-and-parcels-bars-port-access-to-ships-9029491">India cracks the whip again, bans all Pak imports, mails and parcels, bars port access to ships</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/30/xTGu0IIa4kiDe3ad7dPA.png" alt=" PM Modi, Shahbaz Sharif Photograph: (Reuters) ">
India continued its offensive against Pakistan and announced a slew of tough decisions that will severely impact the economy of the neighbouring country over its continued support to cross-border terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-marco-rubio-us-secretary-of-state-national-security-adviser-usaid-9029823">From Trump's rival to Trump&rsquo;s problem solver: How Marco Rubio landed four top roles; critics say he did it by &lsquo;becoming a doormat&rsquo;</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/05/03/U2yvq1t2i7ML9nkZYK3G.png" alt=" US President Donald Trump, Marco Rubio Photograph: (Reuters, Wion Web Team) ">
Once dismissed by Donald Trump as &ldquo;Li&rsquo;l Marco&rdquo;, Marco Rubio is now one of the most powerful figures in the Trump administration, holding not just one, but four top jobs. His transformation from political lightweight to presidential fixer has surprised many in Washington.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kash-patel-donald-trumps-fbi-pick-spends-more-time-in-night-club-than-office-9029834">'Both blessing &amp; curse': FBI boss Kash Patel spends more time in nightclubs than office and people are relieved, here's why</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/01/30/gWQ78QzQkGasgMQ0yOze.png" alt=" Photograph: (Reuters) ">
FBI director&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-violating-laws-secret-memo-reveals-ice-officials-can-break-into-homes-without-a-warrant-9008582" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kash Patel</a>&nbsp;is said to be seen more in nightclubs than in his office. Former FBI counter-intelligence official Frank Figliuzzi on MSNBC's Morning Joe program said Kash Patel is spotted more at nightclubs and less at the office, but people are not complaining because they probably think that things could be bad if he would run the office.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/99-russian-soldiers-die-for-every-kilometre-gained-in-ukraine-and-putin-doesnt-seem-to-care-9030092">&lsquo;Low quality troops, high casualties&rsquo;: 99 Russian soldiers die for every kilometre gained in Ukraine and Putin doesn&rsquo;t seem to care</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/04/25/o0SfA5mLwefP2FTBN2K3.png" alt=" (Representative Image) A Russian service member rides in the back of a military buggy during combat training at a firing range in Russia's Krasnodar region. Photograph: (Reuters) ">
Russia is pushing large numbers of troops into battle, but their progress in Ukraine is slowing sharply due to extremely high losses, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-tesla-ceo-regrets-supporting-donald-trump-in-united-states-9029278">'Yes...but cut that part': Elon Musk quips when asked if he regrets supporting Donald Trump</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/05/03/6TlO7d2UUscCTO4ALN9S.png" alt=" Photograph: (Reuters) ">
Tesla CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ice-cream-lincoln-bedroom-video-games-elon-musks-100-days-in-trump-admin-amid-reports-of-his-white-house-exit-9023602" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elon Musk</a> was recently asked in an interview if he regrets supporting Donald Trump, to which he responded with affirmation, before bursting into laughter and clarifying that he was joking.&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-to-add-his-own-city-starbase-to-his-empire-spacex-texas-heres-all-you-need-to-know-9029598">&lsquo;He&rsquo;s trying to colonise&rsquo;: Elon Musk to add his own city, &lsquo;Starbase&rsquo;, to his empire - Here&rsquo;s all you need to know</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/05/03/dc8I7XmR10AUWTX9VngN.png" alt=" The new city would be called Starbase, and it sits right where SpaceX carries out its rocket launches in Texas. Photograph: (Reuters, Wion Web Team) ">
Residents in a small part of southern Texas are voting on whether to turn their neighbourhood into a brand-new city, one that would give Elon Musk&rsquo;s SpaceX something close to its&nbsp;own&nbsp;government. The new&nbsp;city&nbsp;would be called Starbase, and it sits right where SpaceX carries out its rocket launches in Texas.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/flight-searched-at-sri-lanka-airport-on-suspicion-of-pahalgam-attackers-on-board-9029414">Flight searched at Sri Lanka airport on suspicion of Pahalgam attackers on board</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/05/03/5y17hCu8gdqXdS96kMus.jpg" alt=" Representative image Photograph: (ANI) ">
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A Sri Lankan Airlines flight arriving from Chennai was subjected to a comprehensive security search at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo on Saturday. The special security operation was carried out after Indian intelligence flagged potential suspects linked to the Pahalgam terror attack.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sports-anticlimax-rb-leipzig-score-stoppage-time-goal-as-harry-kane-and-bayern-munich-made-to-wait-for-bundesliga-title-9030058">Anticlimax! RB Leipzig score stoppage time goal as Harry Kane and Bayern Munich made to wait for Bundesliga title</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/05/03/rIdS6Q9t9u23sGZvlVSf.png" alt=" Anticlimax! RB Leipzig score stoppage time goal as Harry Kane and Bayern Munich made to wait for Bundesliga title Photograph: (AFP) ">
Harry Kane and Bayern Munich will have to wait for another day as a stoppage time goal from Yussuf Poulsen denied them the title on Saturday (May 3). Playing at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Bayern needed to win the match to lift the Bundesliga title as early as matchday 32.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/singer-sonu-nigam-clarifies-his-pahalgam-comments-made-at-recent-bengaluru-concert-9029789">Singer Sonu Nigam clarifies his Pahalgam comments made at recent Bengaluru concert</a>
<img src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/05/03/lWHcNuDOHJ77nppFvFx6.jpg" alt=" Sonu NIgam Photograph: (Instagram/sonunigamofficial) ">
Singer Sonu Nigam has landed in controversy following alleged comments made about the Kannada language during his recent concert in Bengaluru. A police complaint has been filed by a pro-Kannada organisation, accusing the singer of making offensive remarks that have upset local sentiments.
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Here are the top 10 stories from across the world.

Australia’s Anthony Albanese won a historic second term in Australia on Saturday (May 3), marking the first time in 21 years that an Australian prime minister has won a second consecutive term. His centre-left Labor Party is poised to retain its majority government. India continued its offensive against Pakistan and announced a slew of tough decisions that will severely impact the economy of the neighbouring country over its continued support to cross-border terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack. Click on the headlines for more Australia Election Result: Anthony Albanese secures historic second term as Labor Party set to retain majority Australia’s Anthony Albanese won a historic second term in Australia on Saturday (May 3), marking the first time in 21 years that an Australian prime minister has won a second consecutive term. His centre-left LaborParty is poised to retain its majority government India cracks the whip again, bans all Pak imports, mails and parcels, bars port access to ships India continued its offensive against Pakistan and announced a slew of tough decisions that will severely impact the economy of the neighbouring country over its continued support to cross-border terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack From Trump's rival to Trump’s problem solver: How Marco Rubio landed four top roles; critics say he did it by ‘becoming a doormat’ Once dismissed by Donald Trump as “Li’l Marco”, Marco Rubio is now one of the most powerful figures in the Trump administration, holding not just one, but four top jobs. His transformation from political lightweight to presidential fixer has surprised many in Washington. 'Both blessing & curse': FBI boss Kash Patel spends more time in nightclubs than office and people are relieved, here's why FBI director Kash Patel is said to be seen more in nightclubs than in his office. Former FBI counter-intelligence official Frank Figliuzzi on MSNBC's Morning Joe program said Kash Patel is spotted more at nightclubs and less at the office, but people are not complaining because they probably think that things could be bad if he would run the office. ‘Low quality troops, high casualties’: 99 Russian soldiers die for every kilometre gained in Ukraine and Putin doesn’t seem to care Russia is pushing large numbers of troops into battle, but their progress in Ukraine is slowing sharply due to extremely high losses, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). 'Yes...but cut that part': Elon Musk quips when asked if he regrets supporting Donald Trump Tesla CEO Elon Musk was recently asked in an interview if he regrets supporting Donald Trump, to which he responded with affirmation, before bursting into laughter and clarifying that he was joking. ‘He’s trying to colonise’: Elon Musk to add his own city, ‘Starbase’, to his empire - Here’s all you need to know Residents in a small part of southern Texas are voting on whether to turn their neighbourhood into a brand-new city, one that would give Elon Musk’s SpaceX something close to its own government. The new city would be called Starbase, and it sits right where SpaceX carries out its rocket launches in Texas. Flight searched at Sri Lanka airport on suspicion of Pahalgam attackers on board A Sri Lankan Airlines flight arriving from Chennai was subjected to a comprehensive security search at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo on Saturday. The special security operation was carried out after Indian intelligence flagged potential suspects linked to the Pahalgam terror attack. Anticlimax! RB Leipzig score stoppage time goal as Harry Kane and Bayern Munich made to wait for Bundesliga title Harry Kane and Bayern Munich will have to wait for another day as a stoppage time goal from Yussuf Poulsen denied them the title on Saturday (May 3). Playing at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Bayern needed to win the match to lift the Bundesliga title as early as matchday 32. Singer Sonu Nigam clarifies his Pahalgam comments made at recent Bengaluru concert Singer Sonu Nigam has landed in controversy following alleged comments made about the Kannada language during his recent concert in Bengaluru. A police complaint has been filed by a pro-Kannada organisation, accusing the singer of making offensive remarks that have upset local sentiments.

Top 10 world news: Anthony Albanese wins Australian Election; India's action against Pakistan continues post Pahalgam attack, and more

Once dismissed by Donald Trump as &ldquo;Li&rsquo;l Marco&rdquo;, Marco Rubio is now one of the most powerful figures in the Trump administration, holding not just one, but four top jobs. His transformation from political lightweight to presidential fixer has surprised many in Washington.
<h2>Trusted by Trump</h2>
Under President Trump&rsquo;s second term, Rubio has taken on a much larger role than expected. Initially seen as a weak player in Trump&rsquo;s circle, he has now become someone the president turns to when things need to get done.
Speaking in the Rose Garden on Thursday, Trump said, &ldquo;When I have a problem, I call up Marco. He gets it solved.&rdquo;
Rubio, a former Florida senator, currently serves as secretary of State, interim national security adviser, acting administrator for USAID, and acting archivist of the United States.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-to-add-his-own-city-starbase-to-his-empire-spacex-texas-heres-all-you-need-to-know-9029598" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">&lsquo;He&rsquo;s trying to colonise&rsquo;: Elon Musk to add his own city, &lsquo;Starbase&rsquo;, to his empire - Here&rsquo;s all you need to know</a>
<h2>What changed?</h2>
Rubio&rsquo;s rise seems tied to his ability to win Trump&rsquo;s trust by abandoning many of his earlier views and backing some of the president&rsquo;s most hard-line policies. He has managed to work well with other key figures in the administration, including Vice President JD Vance, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Special Envoy&nbsp;Steve Witkoff.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-waltz-un-ambassador-national-security-advisor-donald-trump-signal-john-bolton-9027090" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">&lsquo;Doesn&rsquo;t compare&rsquo;: Mike Waltz&rsquo;s UN posting is a demotion, not a promotion, says the guy who&rsquo;s held both jobs</a>
<figure class="image"><img alt="US President Donald Trump gestures as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on, during a meeting with Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere (not pictured) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington" src="https://img-cdn.publive.online/fit-in/1920x1080/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/05/03/y0WVSB73NSQiD69MA6Ur.png" style="width: 1920px;">
<figcaption>US President Donald Trump gestures as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on, during a meeting with Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere (not pictured) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington Photograph: (Reuters)</figcaption>
</figure>
&nbsp;Senator James Risch, Republican chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Politico, &ldquo;When you take a job like this, you are no longer a free agent like you are when you're a United States senator&hellip; you commit to make happen what your boss wants to happen, and he has real ability to do that.&rdquo;
While Rubio&rsquo;s influence has grown, critics argue he&rsquo;s paid a steep price for it. Many believe he&rsquo;s abandoned core beliefs to stay in Trump&rsquo;s good graces.
&ldquo;Once you let yourself get trampled on, you lose respect, you lose cache, you lose your future in Washington, and Rubio is a doormat,&rdquo; said Adam Ereli, a former US ambassador to Bahrain.
<h2>Shedding his past positions</h2>
Rubio used to champion human rights and democracy programmes abroad. But now, under pressure from Trump&rsquo;s &ldquo;America First&rdquo; agenda, and his MAGA supporters who see such efforts as wasteful and &ldquo;woke&rdquo;, Rubio has rolled back many of these programmes.
He once supported firm action on authoritarian regimes, spoke out for U.S. military involvement where needed, and was a strong backer of Ukraine in its fight against Russia. But as secretary of State, he has softened his stance, pushing Ukraine towards peace talks instead of continued resistance.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-mocks-elon-musk-after-white-house-exit-9026163" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Kissing my a**': Trump mocks 'buddy' Elon Musk after his alleged White House exit</a>
<h2>On immigration, a sharp turn</h2>
Rubio, who once spoke proudly of his Cuban immigrant roots, has now fully embraced Trump&rsquo;s tough anti-immigration policies. He has backed measures to revoke student visas and approved plans to send migrants to a prison facility in El Salvador.
At a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Rubio was asked whether he had requested El Salvador to send back a man the U.S. mistakenly deported. &ldquo;I would never tell you that. And you know who else I&rsquo;ll never tell? A judge,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;The conduct of our foreign policy belongs to the president of the United States and the executive branch, not some judge,&rdquo; he added.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rubio-speaks-to-jaishankar-and-pak-pm-shehbaz-sharif-tells-islamabad-to-cooperate-in-unconscionable-pahalgam-attack-and-condemn-it-9020448" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Rubio speaks to Jaishankar and Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif, tells Islamabad to cooperate in Pahalgam attack probe and condemn&nbsp;it</a>

World: Rubio, a former Florida senator, currently serves as secretary of State, interim national security adviser, acting administrator for USAID, and acting archivist of the United States.

Once dismissed by Donald Trump as “Li’l Marco”, Marco Rubio is now one of the most powerful figures in the Trump administration, holding not just one, but four top jobs. His transformation from political lightweight to presidential fixer has surprised many in Washington. Trusted by Trump Under President Trump’s second term, Rubio has taken on a much larger role than expected. Initially seen as a weak player in Trump’s circle, he has now become someone the president turns to when things need to get done. Speaking in the Rose Garden on Thursday, Trump said, “When I have a problem, I call up Marco. He gets it solved.” Rubio, a former Florida senator, currently serves as secretary of State, interim national security adviser, acting administrator for USAID, and acting archivist of the United States. Also read: ‘He’s trying to colonise’: Elon Musk to add his own city, ‘Starbase’, to his empire - Here’s all you need to know What changed? Rubio’s rise seems tied to his ability to win Trump’s trust by abandoning many of his earlier views and backing some of the president’s most hard-line policies. He has managed to work well with other key figures in the administration, including Vice President JD Vance, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Also read: ‘Doesn’t compare’: Mike Waltz’s UN posting is a demotion, not a promotion, says the guy who’s held both jobs US President Donald Trump gestures as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio looks on, during a meeting with Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere (not pictured) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington Photograph: (Reuters) Senator James Risch, Republican chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Politico, “When you take a job like this, you are no longer a free agent like you are when you're a United States senator… you commit to make happen what your boss wants to happen, and he has real ability to do that.” While Rubio’s influence has grown, critics argue he’s paid a steep price for it. Many believe he’s abandoned core beliefs to stay in Trump’s good graces. “Once you let yourself get trampled on, you lose respect, you lose cache, you lose your future in Washington, and Rubio is a doormat,” said Adam Ereli, a former US ambassador to Bahrain. Shedding his past positions Rubio used to champion human rights and democracy programmes abroad. But now, under pressure from Trump’s “America First” agenda, and his MAGA supporters who see such efforts as wasteful and “woke”, Rubio has rolled back many of these programmes. He once supported firm action on authoritarian regimes, spoke out for U.S. military involvement where needed, and was a strong backer of Ukraine in its fight against Russia. But as secretary of State, he has softened his stance, pushing Ukraine towards peace talks instead of continued resistance. Also read: 'Kissing my a**': Trump mocks 'buddy' Elon Musk after his alleged White House exit On immigration, a sharp turn Rubio, who once spoke proudly of his Cuban immigrant roots, has now fully embraced Trump’s tough anti-immigration policies. He has backed measures to revoke student visas and approved plans to send migrants to a prison facility in El Salvador. At a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Rubio was asked whether he had requested El Salvador to send back a man the U.S. mistakenly deported. “I would never tell you that. And you know who else I’ll never tell? A judge,” he said. “The conduct of our foreign policy belongs to the president of the United States and the executive branch, not some judge,” he added. Also read: Rubio speaks to Jaishankar and Pak PM Shehbaz Sharif, tells Islamabad to cooperate in Pahalgam attack probe and condemn it

From Trump's rival to Trump’s problem solver: How Marco Rubio landed four top roles; critics say he did it by ‘becoming a doormat’

Former Trump official John Bolton has hit out at Vice President JD Vance, disagreeing with his description of Mike Waltz&rsquo;s move from national security adviser to UN ambassador as a &ldquo;promotion.&rdquo;
Speaking to CNN, Bolton said, &ldquo;I think it really just shows how little about national security JD Vance knows.&rdquo; Bolton, who has held both roles himself under past administrations, dismissed the idea that Waltz had moved up the ladder.
<h2>The rise and fall of Mike Waltz: Signal chat controversy and fallout</h2>
Waltz has been under scrutiny for some time, particularly after he accidentally included a journalist in a Signal group chat where military action in Yemen was being discussed. The blunder drew heavy criticism, even though the Trump administration insisted his removal was unrelated.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-waltzs-exit-not-a-surprise-trump-has-a-history-of-replacing-national-security-advisors-list-here-9026531" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Mike Waltz's exit from NSA's post not a surprise: Trump has a history of replacing National Security Advisors | List here</a>
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump confirmed that Waltz would leave his post as national security adviser and be nominated to represent the US at the United Nations.
<h2>Vance says it's &ldquo;a promotion&rdquo;</h2>
Vice President Vance attempted to brush aside concerns over the change.
Speaking on Fox News, he said, &ldquo;I think you could make a good argument that it&rsquo;s a promotion.&rdquo;
He went on to call the Signal controversy a &ldquo;total nothingburger,&rdquo; adding that Trump simply believed Waltz would be a better fit at the UN.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/national-security-adviser-mike-waltz-using-signal-day-before-he-was-ousted-by-donald-trump-9025760" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Caught on camera! Mike Waltz photographed using Signal the day before he was ousted by Trump - Who was he texting?</a>
&ldquo;If you polled 100 people in the country of any political leaning, I would bet a large amount of money that 90 out of 100, if not 99 out of 100, would say national security adviser is the more important job,&rdquo; Bolton said.
He continued, &ldquo;I loved being UN ambassador, don&rsquo;t get me wrong, but it just doesn&rsquo;t compare.&rdquo;
Bolton also suggested the move was rushed. He believes the decision to reassign Waltz came after Representative Elise Stefanik&rsquo;s nomination for the UN ambassador role was withdrawn. That, he said, left Trump with fewer options.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-mocks-elon-musk-after-white-house-exit-9026163" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Kissing my a**': Trump mocks 'buddy' Elon Musk after his alleged White House exit</a>
<h2>No replacement yet named</h2>
As of now, Waltz has not been officially replaced. Instead, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will act as interim national security adviser, in addition to his current duties.
Bolton called the situation strange, &ldquo;An organised White House would announce the successor immediately, and the fact that they didn&rsquo;t have a successor shows that they were not ready to make the announcement.&rdquo;
Watch: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-moves-michael-waltz-to-un-first-major-shake-up-of-trumps-inner-circle-9024180">Donald Trump moves Michael Waltz to U.N. | First major shake up of Trump's inner circle</a>
He called the idea of Rubio temporarily holding both roles &ldquo;bizarre.&rdquo;

World: Waltz has been under scrutiny for some time, particularly after he accidentally included a journalist in a Signal group chat where military action in Yemen was being discussed.

Former Trump official John Bolton has hit out at Vice President JD Vance, disagreeing with his description of Mike Waltz’s move from national security adviser to UN ambassador as a “promotion.” Speaking to CNN, Bolton said, “I think it really just shows how little about national security JD Vance knows.” Bolton, who has held both roles himself under past administrations, dismissed the idea that Waltz had moved up the ladder. The rise and fall of Mike Waltz: Signal chat controversy and fallout Waltz has been under scrutiny for some time, particularly after he accidentally included a journalist in a Signal group chat where military action in Yemen was being discussed. The blunder drew heavy criticism, even though the Trump administration insisted his removal was unrelated. Also read: Mike Waltz's exit from NSA's post not a surprise: Trump has a history of replacing National Security Advisors | List here Earlier this week, President Donald Trump confirmed that Waltz would leave his post as national security adviser and be nominated to represent the US at the United Nations. Vance says it's “a promotion” Vice President Vance attempted to brush aside concerns over the change. Speaking on Fox News, he said, “I think you could make a good argument that it’s a promotion.” He went on to call the Signal controversy a “total nothingburger,” adding that Trump simply believed Waltz would be a better fit at the UN. Also read: Caught on camera! Mike Waltz photographed using Signal the day before he was ousted by Trump - Who was he texting? “If you polled 100 people in the country of any political leaning, I would bet a large amount of money that 90 out of 100, if not 99 out of 100, would say national security adviser is the more important job,” Bolton said. He continued, “I loved being UN ambassador, don’t get me wrong, but it just doesn’t compare.” Bolton also suggested the move was rushed. He believes the decision to reassign Waltz came after Representative Elise Stefanik’s nomination for the UN ambassador role was withdrawn. That, he said, left Trump with fewer options. Also read: 'Kissing my a**': Trump mocks 'buddy' Elon Musk after his alleged White House exit No replacement yet named As of now, Waltz has not been officially replaced. Instead, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will act as interim national security adviser, in addition to his current duties. Bolton called the situation strange, “An organised White House would announce the successor immediately, and the fact that they didn’t have a successor shows that they were not ready to make the announcement.” Watch: Donald Trump moves Michael Waltz to U.N. | First major shake up of Trump's inner circle He called the idea of Rubio temporarily holding both roles “bizarre.”

‘Doesn’t compare’: Mike Waltz’s UN posting is a demotion, not a promotion, says the guy who’s held both jobs

A photo taken during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday (May 02) sparked controversy after it showed Donald Trump&rsquo;s former national security adviser, Mike Waltz, using the encrypted messaging app Signal. 
The image, captured by a Reuters photographer, came just a day before Trump announced Waltz would be replaced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
<h2>Who was Waltz messaging?</h2>
The photo revealed that Waltz had been texting several high-profile figures, including Vice President JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Trump&rsquo;s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-big-announcement-nsa-mike-waltz-replaced-by-us-state-secretary-marco-rubio-waltz-nominated-as-us-ambassador-to-un-9023871" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Trump's BIG announcement: NSA Mike Waltz replaced by Marco Rubio, Waltz nominated as US ambassador to UN</a>
When questioned about the use of the app, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung responded on Thursday afternoon, &ldquo;Signal is an approved app that is loaded onto our government phones. Thank you for your attention to this matter.&rdquo;
<h2>SignalGate: Past controversy over Signal use</h2>
This isn&rsquo;t the first time Waltz has faced criticism over his use of Signal. In March, he accidentally added a journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg from The Atlantic, to a private group chat with key national security officials, including Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The group had reportedly discussed a US attack on terrorists in Yemen.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-nsa-mike-waltz-who-added-journalist-to-signal-chat-leaves-white-house-reports-9023515" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Trump's NSA Mike Waltz, guy involved in 'Signalgate' scandal, to leave White House: Reports</a>
Waltz later said he had no idea how Goldberg got added to the chat and stressed that no sensitive information was shared. At the time, Trump stood by Waltz and dismissed demands for his dismissal.
<h2>Trump shuffles roles, names Waltz as UN ambassador</h2>
Despite backing him publicly, sources told ABC News that Trump had grown increasingly frustrated with Waltz over the Signal-related fallout. On Thursday, Trump made changes to his national security team.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-just-yemen-attack-chat-did-mike-waltz-set-up-20-signal-groups-other-than-the-one-that-leaked-what-report-claims-8919572" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Not just Yemen attack chat: Did Mike Waltz set up 20 more secret Signal chat groups other than the one that leaked? What report claims</a>
Waltz will now be nominated as US Ambassador to the United Nations, while Marco Rubio will take over as interim national security adviser, continuing in his current position as Secretary of State.
<h2>Investigation into Signal use widens</h2>
The use of Signal for official communication has drawn criticism, even though it is technically approved for use on government devices. In 2021, the Pentagon&rsquo;s internal watchdog called out a former official for using Signal, saying it breached records retention rules and was not authorised to share sensitive information.
Last month, acting Pentagon Inspector General Steven Stebbins said he was launching a review into Pete Hegseth&rsquo;s use of Signal during the Yemen operation. On Thursday, a US official confirmed that a second chat involving Hegseth is under scrutiny. In that chat, Hegseth is said to have shared attack timing details with his wife, brother, and lawyer.
Watch: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-moves-michael-waltz-to-un-first-major-shake-up-of-trumps-inner-circle-9024180" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Donald Trump moves Michael Waltz to U.N. | First major shake up of Trump's inner circle</a>
&ldquo;The objective of this evaluation is to determine the extent to which the Secretary of Defense and other DoD personnel complied with DoD policies and procedures for the use of a commercial messaging application for official business. Additionally, we will review compliance with classification and records retention requirements,&rdquo; Stebbins said in a statement.
Democrats have pushed for a broader investigation into the Signal chats linked to the Yemen operation, but Republican leaders have blocked those efforts in Congress.

World: The photo revealed that Waltz had been texting several high-profile figures, including Vice President JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

A photo taken during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday (May 02) sparked controversy after it showed Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, Mike Waltz, using the encrypted messaging app Signal. The image, captured by a Reuters photographer, came just a day before Trump announced Waltz would be replaced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Who was Waltz messaging? The photo revealed that Waltz had been texting several high-profile figures, including Vice President JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. Also read: Trump's BIG announcement: NSA Mike Waltz replaced by Marco Rubio, Waltz nominated as US ambassador to UN When questioned about the use of the app, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung responded on Thursday afternoon, “Signal is an approved app that is loaded onto our government phones. Thank you for your attention to this matter.” SignalGate: Past controversy over Signal use This isn’t the first time Waltz has faced criticism over his use of Signal. In March, he accidentally added a journalist, Jeffrey Goldberg from The Atlantic, to a private group chat with key national security officials, including Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The group had reportedly discussed a US attack on terrorists in Yemen. Also read: Trump's NSA Mike Waltz, guy involved in 'Signalgate' scandal, to leave White House: Reports Waltz later said he had no idea how Goldberg got added to the chat and stressed that no sensitive information was shared. At the time, Trump stood by Waltz and dismissed demands for his dismissal. Trump shuffles roles, names Waltz as UN ambassador Despite backing him publicly, sources told ABC News that Trump had grown increasingly frustrated with Waltz over the Signal-related fallout. On Thursday, Trump made changes to his national security team. Also read: Not just Yemen attack chat: Did Mike Waltz set up 20 more secret Signal chat groups other than the one that leaked? What report claims Waltz will now be nominated as US Ambassador to the United Nations, while Marco Rubio will take over as interim national security adviser, continuing in his current position as Secretary of State. Investigation into Signal use widens The use of Signal for official communication has drawn criticism, even though it is technically approved for use on government devices. In 2021, the Pentagon’s internal watchdog called out a former official for using Signal, saying it breached records retention rules and was not authorised to share sensitive information. Last month, acting Pentagon Inspector General Steven Stebbins said he was launching a review into Pete Hegseth’s use of Signal during the Yemen operation. On Thursday, a US official confirmed that a second chat involving Hegseth is under scrutiny. In that chat, Hegseth is said to have shared attack timing details with his wife, brother, and lawyer. Watch: Donald Trump moves Michael Waltz to U.N. | First major shake up of Trump's inner circle “The objective of this evaluation is to determine the extent to which the Secretary of Defense and other DoD personnel complied with DoD policies and procedures for the use of a commercial messaging application for official business. Additionally, we will review compliance with classification and records retention requirements,” Stebbins said in a statement. Democrats have pushed for a broader investigation into the Signal chats linked to the Yemen operation, but Republican leaders have blocked those efforts in Congress.

Caught on camera! Mike Waltz photographed using Signal the day before he was ousted by Trump - Who was he texting?

US National Security Advisor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/mike-waltz">Mike Waltz</a> will be replaced by US State Secretary Marco Rubio, US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday (May 1) amid reports of Waltz exit from White House.&nbsp;
While Waltz will not be serving as the US NSA anymore, Trump nominated him to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations.&nbsp;
"I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Mike Waltz to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations," Trump said in a Truth Social post.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-nsa-mike-waltz-who-added-journalist-to-signal-chat-leaves-white-house-reports-9023515">Trump's NSA Mike Waltz, guy involved in 'Signalgate' scandal, to leave White House: Reports</a>
Trump further praised Waltz for his "hard work" in the US administration.
"From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress and, as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation&rsquo;s Interests first. I know he will do the same in his new role," Trump added.&nbsp;
<iframe width="600" height="" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0;" src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/114433942825461076/embed" class="truthsocial-embed" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<script src="https://truthsocial.com/embed.js" async="async"></script>

Meanwhile, Marco Rubio will serve as the NSA, while also continuing his position as the US state secretary.&nbsp;
"In the interim, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as National Security Advisor, while continuing his strong leadership at the State Department. Together, we will continue to fight tirelessly to Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN. Thank you for your attention to this matter!," Trump added.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xi-called-me-trump-claims-total-victory-as-china-signals-tariff-retreat-xi-plans-economic-rescue-as-beijing-reels-9001459">&lsquo;Xi called me&rsquo;: Trump claims &lsquo;total victory&rsquo; as China signals tariff retreat; Xi plans economic rescue as Beijing reels</a>
Earlier it was reported, Mike Waltz and Alex Wong will be leaving their posts in the White House.&nbsp;
As it gets clear for Mike Waltz, there is still no confirmation on Alex Wong. Media reports stated that their exit was after the Signalgate scandal, which triggered by Waltz adding Atlantic journalist in a private group chat on Houthi war plans.&nbsp;
Based on the details from the Signal chat group, Goldberg published a comprehensive report. Waltz had then taken "full responsibility" for the 'embarrassing' mistake.
Notably, Waltz survived more than former NSA Michael Flynn who served in Trump's first term only for 24 days.&nbsp;
WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/signal-secret-chat-group-how-waltz-added-goldberg-to-signal-chat-8933757">Signal secret chat group: How Waltz added Goldberg to Signal chat</a>

While Mike Waltz will not be serving as the US NSA anymore, Trump nominated him to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations.  WORLD

US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz will be replaced by US State Secretary Marco Rubio, US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday (May 1) amid reports of Waltz exit from White House. While Waltz will not be serving as the US NSA anymore, Trump nominated him to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations. "I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Mike Waltz to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations," Trump said in a Truth Social post. Also read: Trump's NSA Mike Waltz, guy involved in 'Signalgate' scandal, to leave White House: Reports Trump further praised Waltz for his "hard work" in the US administration. "From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress and, as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation’s Interests first. I know he will do the same in his new role," Trump added. Meanwhile, Marco Rubio will serve as the NSA, while also continuing his position as the US state secretary. "In the interim, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as National Security Advisor, while continuing his strong leadership at the State Department. Together, we will continue to fight tirelessly to Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN. Thank you for your attention to this matter!," Trump added. Also read: ‘Xi called me’: Trump claims ‘total victory’ as China signals tariff retreat; Xi plans economic rescue as Beijing reels Earlier it was reported, Mike Waltz and Alex Wong will be leaving their posts in the White House. As it gets clear for Mike Waltz, there is still no confirmation on Alex Wong. Media reports stated that their exit was after the Signalgate scandal, which triggered by Waltz adding Atlantic journalist in a private group chat on Houthi war plans. Based on the details from the Signal chat group, Goldberg published a comprehensive report. Waltz had then taken "full responsibility" for the 'embarrassing' mistake. Notably, Waltz survived more than former NSA Michael Flynn who served in Trump's first term only for 24 days. WATCH | Signal secret chat group: How Waltz added Goldberg to Signal chat

Trump's BIG announcement: NSA Mike Waltz replaced by Marco Rubio, Waltz nominated as US ambassador to UN

Probably tired of making efforts to secure peace in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-russia-war-trump-tired-rubio-says-us-should-move-on-in-days-if-war-not-ending-says-its-not-our-war-8975571">Russia-Ukraine war</a>, US President Donald Trump on Friday (April 18) said that the US &nbsp;will "take a pass" on brokering further Ukraine peace talks unless there is "quick progress" from the two nations.
This comes after US State Secretary Marco Rubio's statement, saying that the US should 'move on' in days, if the efforts are not fruitful, as it's not America's war.
"Yeah very shortly," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked to confirm what Rubio had said. "No specific number of days, but quickly. We want to get it done."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-initiator-of-ukrainian-crisis-china-rubbishes-zelenskys-claims-of-supplying-arms-to-russia-8977141">'Not initiator of Ukrainian crisis': China rubbishes Zelensky's claims of supplying arms to Russia</a>
The US, he said, has been helping Ukraine for the past three years, "and we want it to end, but it&rsquo;s not our war.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Moreover, noting that Trump spent 87 days repeatedly to bring the war to an end, Rubio said, "We are now reaching a point when we need to decide and determine whether this is even possible or not. Which is why we&rsquo;re engaging both sides.&rdquo;
Further, the US president refused to put blame on either Russian President Vladimir Putin or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.&nbsp;
However, he insisted both sides to make progress on the deal.&nbsp;
WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-war-russia-rains-missiles-on-sumy-kharkiv-ukraine-claims-2-killed-in-russian-strikes-8977186">Ukraine war: Russia rains missiles on Sumy, Kharkiv; Ukraine claims 2 killed in Russian strikes</a>
Getting a little more blunt, Trump said, "Now if for some reason one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we're just going to say: 'You're foolish. You're fools. You're horrible people -- and we're going to just take a pass."
"But hopefully we won't have to do that," he added.&nbsp;
Before returning to the White House, Trump repeatedly said that he can end the war in 24 hours, which he has recently claimed that he was being sarcastic.&nbsp;
When asked if Putin was stalling from the peace deal, Trump said, "I hope not. "I'll let you know soon."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kyivs-nato-dream-shattered-us-presents-russia-ukraine-peace-plan-heres-what-it-says-8976889">Kyiv's NATO dream shattered? US presents Russia-Ukraine peace plan - Here's what it says</a>

"Yeah very shortly," Trump told reporters when asked to confirm what Rubio had said. "No specific number of days, but quickly. We want to get it done." WORLD

Probably tired of making efforts to secure peace in the Russia-Ukraine war, US President Donald Trump on Friday (April 18) said that the US will "take a pass" on brokering further Ukraine peace talks unless there is "quick progress" from the two nations. This comes after US State Secretary Marco Rubio's statement, saying that the US should 'move on' in days, if the efforts are not fruitful, as it's not America's war. "Yeah very shortly," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked to confirm what Rubio had said. "No specific number of days, but quickly. We want to get it done." Also read: 'Not initiator of Ukrainian crisis': China rubbishes Zelensky's claims of supplying arms to Russia The US, he said, has been helping Ukraine for the past three years, "and we want it to end, but it’s not our war.” Moreover, noting that Trump spent 87 days repeatedly to bring the war to an end, Rubio said, "We are now reaching a point when we need to decide and determine whether this is even possible or not. Which is why we’re engaging both sides.” Further, the US president refused to put blame on either Russian President Vladimir Putin or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. However, he insisted both sides to make progress on the deal. WATCH | Ukraine war: Russia rains missiles on Sumy, Kharkiv; Ukraine claims 2 killed in Russian strikes Getting a little more blunt, Trump said, "Now if for some reason one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we're just going to say: 'You're foolish. You're fools. You're horrible people -- and we're going to just take a pass." "But hopefully we won't have to do that," he added. Before returning to the White House, Trump repeatedly said that he can end the war in 24 hours, which he has recently claimed that he was being sarcastic. When asked if Putin was stalling from the peace deal, Trump said, "I hope not. "I'll let you know soon." Also read: Kyiv's NATO dream shattered? US presents Russia-Ukraine peace plan - Here's what it says

'You're fools, horrible people': Trump warns US may 'take a pass' if Russia, Ukraine stall peace deal

US State Secretary Marco Rubio warned that Iran is "dangerously" close to a weapon, urging European nations to make a prompt decision on reimposing sanctions.&nbsp;
Rubio was in Paris on Thursday, holding talks with European officials, including French President Emmanuel Macron.&nbsp;
&ldquo;For the Europeans, they have an important decision to make very soon on the snapback of sanctions because Iran is clearly out of compliance with the current deal,&rdquo; Rubio said.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-russia-war-trump-tired-rubio-says-us-should-move-on-in-days-if-war-not-ending-says-its-not-our-war-8975571">'Move on...not our war': Will US exit efforts to end Russia-Ukraine war? What Marco Rubio said as Trump gets frustrated</a>
He also noted that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was in Iran yesterday, issuing public statements saying "Iran is as close as it&rsquo;s ever been to nuclear weapons."
Rubio reiterated US President Donald Trump's statement, that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. "This is not going to happen".&nbsp;
"We&rsquo;re hoping that talks continue and that they&rsquo;re fruitful and that they&rsquo;re &ndash; that they can lead to something," he said, adding, "It has to be something that actually not just prevents Iran from having a nuclear weapon now, but in the future as well, not just for 10 years with some sort of sunset provision or the like."
He then urged the EU to have "a decision to make on snapback."&nbsp;
WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-talks-trump-urges-diplomacy-over-iran-says-no-rush-for-military-action-8974522">US-Iran talks: Trump urges diplomacy over Iran, says no rush for military action</a>
Rubio said that Britain, France, and Germany will soon receive a new IAEA report indicating that Iran is &ldquo;dangerously close to a weapon, closer than they&rsquo;ve ever been,&rdquo; necessitating a decision on sanctions.
He further warned that if Iran doesn't comply, the EU should reimpose the sanctions.&nbsp;
Earlier this week, IAEA Head Rafael Mariano Grossi, warned that Iran is not far off from making its own nuclear weapons.&nbsp;
Speaking to the French daily Le Monde ahead of his scheduled visit to Tehran in an exclusive interview, Grossi said, &ldquo;Iran does not currently have a nuclear weapon, but it is very close to reaching that point.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-not-far-from-having-a-nuclear-bomb-warns-un-nuclear-watchdog-chief-rafael-grossi-8970236">&lsquo;Iran not far from having a nuclear bomb,&rsquo; warns UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi</a>
The IAEA chief&rsquo;s remarks marked one of the strongest warnings yet about Iran&rsquo;s potential to become a nuclear-armed state.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, Trump on Monday reiterated that Iran must abandon any drive for a nuclear weapon or face a possible military strike on Tehran's atomic facilities.&nbsp;
"I want them to be a rich great nation. The only thing is one thing, simple. It's really simple. They can't have a nuclear weapon. And they got to go fast, because they're fairly close to having one. And they're not going to have one. And if we have to do something very harsh, we'll do it. And I'm not doing it for us, I'm doing it for the world. And these are radicalised people, and they cannot have a nuclear weapon," Trump said.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-nuke-talks-iran-ready-to-seal-a-deal-with-us-wion-live-discussion-8969618">US-Iran nuke talks: Iran ready to 'seal a deal' with US? | WION Live Discussion</a>

US State Secretary Rubio noted that the IAEA was in Iran yesterday, issuing public statements saying "Iran is as close as it’s ever been to nuclear weapons." WORLD

US State Secretary Marco Rubio warned that Iran is "dangerously" close to a weapon, urging European nations to make a prompt decision on reimposing sanctions. Rubio was in Paris on Thursday, holding talks with European officials, including French President Emmanuel Macron. “For the Europeans, they have an important decision to make very soon on the snapback of sanctions because Iran is clearly out of compliance with the current deal,” Rubio said. Also read: 'Move on...not our war': Will US exit efforts to end Russia-Ukraine war? What Marco Rubio said as Trump gets frustrated He also noted that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was in Iran yesterday, issuing public statements saying "Iran is as close as it’s ever been to nuclear weapons." Rubio reiterated US President Donald Trump's statement, that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. "This is not going to happen". "We’re hoping that talks continue and that they’re fruitful and that they’re – that they can lead to something," he said, adding, "It has to be something that actually not just prevents Iran from having a nuclear weapon now, but in the future as well, not just for 10 years with some sort of sunset provision or the like." He then urged the EU to have "a decision to make on snapback." WATCH | US-Iran talks: Trump urges diplomacy over Iran, says no rush for military action Rubio said that Britain, France, and Germany will soon receive a new IAEA report indicating that Iran is “dangerously close to a weapon, closer than they’ve ever been,” necessitating a decision on sanctions. He further warned that if Iran doesn't comply, the EU should reimpose the sanctions. Earlier this week, IAEA Head Rafael Mariano Grossi, warned that Iran is not far off from making its own nuclear weapons. Speaking to the French daily Le Monde ahead of his scheduled visit to Tehran in an exclusive interview, Grossi said, “Iran does not currently have a nuclear weapon, but it is very close to reaching that point.” Also read: ‘Iran not far from having a nuclear bomb,’ warns UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi The IAEA chief’s remarks marked one of the strongest warnings yet about Iran’s potential to become a nuclear-armed state. Meanwhile, Trump on Monday reiterated that Iran must abandon any drive for a nuclear weapon or face a possible military strike on Tehran's atomic facilities. "I want them to be a rich great nation. The only thing is one thing, simple. It's really simple. They can't have a nuclear weapon. And they got to go fast, because they're fairly close to having one. And they're not going to have one. And if we have to do something very harsh, we'll do it. And I'm not doing it for us, I'm doing it for the world. And these are radicalised people, and they cannot have a nuclear weapon," Trump said. Also read: US-Iran nuke talks: Iran ready to 'seal a deal' with US? | WION Live Discussion

'Iran dangerously close to a weapon': Rubio warns EU nations as he calls for European sanctions

Is the US administration of Donald Trump tired of trying to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war? Amid crunch talks in Paris and nearly three months of efforts by President Trump, the peace effort fatigue is beginning to show. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday (Apr 18) that the US should 'move on' in days, if the efforts are not fruitful, as it's not America's war.
&nbsp;
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/1704_WION_UKRAINE_9PM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/1704_WION_UKRAINE_9PM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=216&amp;tags=Russia, Ukraine, World News, WION" title="Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine launches at least 71 drones towards Russia" id="PL_iframe_block-m9mkj67i-0ut0q79w-v8k5g1j8"></iframe>
<h2>What did Marco Rubio say about the Ukraine war?</h2>
&ldquo;If it is not possible to end the war in Ukraine, we need to move on,&rdquo; Rubio said after winding up talks in Paris, where he and special US envoy on Russia and Ukraine Steve Witcoff met French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as European and Ukrainian leaders.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-taurus-missile-russia-warns-germany-of-direct-involvement-over-delivering-weapon-system-to-ukraine-8973916">What is Taurus missile? Russia warns Germany of &lsquo;direct&rsquo; involvement over delivering weapon system to Ukraine</a>
&ldquo;We need to determine very quickly now, and I&rsquo;m talking about a matter of days, whether or not this is doable.&rdquo;
Without giving specifics, the US state department said the US peace plan got an encouraging reception during the Paris deliberations, adding that Rubio also dialled Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, to apprise him of the talks.
Marco pointed out that he and Witcoff were in Paris to discuss specifics of what it might take to end the war, and whether indeed it can be ended.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-no-longer-holds-zelensky-responsible-for-russia-ukraine-war-reveals-mineral-deal-to-be-signed-next-thursday-kyiv-and-washington-sign-memorandum-of-intent-8974360">Trump no longer holds Zelensky 'responsible' for Russia-Ukraine war as Kyiv and Washington sign 'Memorandum of Intent'</a>
&ldquo;If it&rsquo;s not possible, if we&rsquo;re so far apart that this is not going to happen, then I think the president is probably at a point where he&rsquo;s going to say we&rsquo;re done,&rdquo; he said.
<h2>'We didn't start this war, need to see if it can be ended or...'</h2>
Repeating a point already made by Trump, Rubio said, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not our war. We didn&rsquo;t start it."&nbsp;
The US, he said, has been helping Ukraine for the past three years, "and we want it to end, but it&rsquo;s not our war.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Noting that Trump spent 87 days repeatedly to bring the war to an end, Rubio said, "We are now reaching a point when we need to decide and determine whether this is even possible or not. Which is why we&rsquo;re engaging both sides.&rdquo;
<h2>Meanwhile, the Russia-Ukraine war drags on</h2>
Rubio's comments came even as the Ukraine Russia war continued unabated.
An overnight Russian missile attack killed at least one person in Ukraine's Kharkiv city.
On Saturday (Apr 12), Russia attacked the Ukrainian city of Sumy, killing at least&nbsp; 34 people.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brutus-at-the-g7-trump-blocks-allies-plan-to-condemn-russia-over-deadly-sumy-strike-8965863">Brutus at the G7? Trump blocks allies&rsquo; plan to condemn Russia over deadly Sumy strike</a>
Trump appeared to justify the attack, the deadliest in recent days, saying &ldquo;I was told they [Russia] made a mistake.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h2>Ukraine-US mineral deal is a silver lining, but not enough</h2>
After the infamous White House fracas involving Trump, US Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in February, the US and Ukraine are expected to close a minerals deal.
&ldquo;We are happy to announce the signing, with our American partners, of a Memorandum of Intent, which paves the way for an Economic Partnership Agreement and the establishment of the Investment Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine,&rdquo; Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said in a post on X.
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-meloni-meet-eu-tariff-deal-100-guaranteed-us-ukraine-minerals-deal-to-be-signed-next-thursday-8974041">Trump-Meloni meet: EU tariff deal '100%' guaranteed; US-Ukraine minerals deal to be signed next Thursday</a>
&ldquo;Ahead is the finalisation of the text of the agreement and its signing &mdash; and then, ratification by parliaments,&rdquo; Svyrydenko added.
But the minerals deal is only one aspect in efforts to end the war.
The larger issue remains the adamance of both Ukraine and Russia on making any concessions or ceding territory after three years of war.
&nbsp;

Rubio on Ukraine war: "We need to move on,” Rubio said after he and special US envoy on Russia and Ukraine Steve Witcoff held talks on the war. World

Is the US administration of Donald Trump tired of trying to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war? Amid crunch talks in Paris and nearly three months of efforts by President Trump, the peace effort fatigue is beginning to show. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday (Apr 18) that the US should 'move on' in days, if the efforts are not fruitful, as it's not America's war. What did Marco Rubio say about the Ukraine war? “If it is not possible to end the war in Ukraine, we need to move on,” Rubio said after winding up talks in Paris, where he and special US envoy on Russia and Ukraine Steve Witcoff met French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as European and Ukrainian leaders. What is Taurus missile? Russia warns Germany of ‘direct’ involvement over delivering weapon system to Ukraine “We need to determine very quickly now, and I’m talking about a matter of days, whether or not this is doable.” Without giving specifics, the US state department said the US peace plan got an encouraging reception during the Paris deliberations, adding that Rubio also dialled Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, to apprise him of the talks. Marco pointed out that he and Witcoff were in Paris to discuss specifics of what it might take to end the war, and whether indeed it can be ended. Trump no longer holds Zelensky 'responsible' for Russia-Ukraine war as Kyiv and Washington sign 'Memorandum of Intent' “If it’s not possible, if we’re so far apart that this is not going to happen, then I think the president is probably at a point where he’s going to say we’re done,” he said. 'We didn't start this war, need to see if it can be ended or...' Repeating a point already made by Trump, Rubio said, “It’s not our war. We didn’t start it." The US, he said, has been helping Ukraine for the past three years, "and we want it to end, but it’s not our war.” Noting that Trump spent 87 days repeatedly to bring the war to an end, Rubio said, "We are now reaching a point when we need to decide and determine whether this is even possible or not. Which is why we’re engaging both sides.” Meanwhile, the Russia-Ukraine war drags on Rubio's comments came even as the Ukraine Russia war continued unabated. An overnight Russian missile attack killed at least one person in Ukraine's Kharkiv city. On Saturday (Apr 12), Russia attacked the Ukrainian city of Sumy, killing at least 34 people. Brutus at the G7? Trump blocks allies’ plan to condemn Russia over deadly Sumy strike Trump appeared to justify the attack, the deadliest in recent days, saying “I was told they [Russia] made a mistake.” Ukraine-US mineral deal is a silver lining, but not enough After the infamous White House fracas involving Trump, US Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in February, the US and Ukraine are expected to close a minerals deal. “We are happy to announce the signing, with our American partners, of a Memorandum of Intent, which paves the way for an Economic Partnership Agreement and the establishment of the Investment Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine,” Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said in a post on X. Trump-Meloni meet: EU tariff deal '100%' guaranteed; US-Ukraine minerals deal to be signed next Thursday “Ahead is the finalisation of the text of the agreement and its signing — and then, ratification by parliaments,” Svyrydenko added. But the minerals deal is only one aspect in efforts to end the war. The larger issue remains the adamance of both Ukraine and Russia on making any concessions or ceding territory after three years of war.

'Move on...not our war': Will US exit efforts to end Russia-Ukraine war? What Marco Rubio said as Trump gets frustrated

Ukrainian President Volodymyr <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tariff-us-eu-trade-deal-or-imec-corridor-what-will-meloni-trump-discuss-today-during-talks-in-washington-8973403">Zelensky</a>&nbsp;on Thursday (April 17) blamed US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff for "spreading Russian narratives" about the Ukraine war.&nbsp;
Zelensky had strained relations with the US after he got himself into a war of words with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. However, after putting some effort in the past week, the relations have "probably" come back to normal.&nbsp;
Today again, during a news conference in Kyiv, Zelensky attacked Trump's envoy Witkoff, stressing that Ukraine would not discuss territorial questions until a ceasefire was put in place.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/put-pressure-on-the-killers-zelensky-urges-partners-ahead-of-us-eu-talks-in-paris-to-end-ukraine-war-8972393">&lsquo;Put pressure on the killers&rsquo;: Zelensky urges partners ahead of US, EU talks in Paris to end Ukraine war</a>
Currently, US envoy Steve Witkoff and US state secretary Marco Rubio are holding second round of meetings at the &Eacute;lys&eacute;e Palace with a group of European partners, talking with senior representatives of the British, French German, and Ukrainian administrations.
<h2>Minerals deal could be signed today</h2>
Zelensky also said that Ukraine could sign the minerals deal memorandum with the US today during an online meeting.&nbsp;
Trump has been pushing for a deal that would allow the US to share in profits of Ukraine's rare earth minerals and natural resources.&nbsp;
The two leaders were supposed to sign the deal during Zelensky's visit to the US, however, it got postponed after Trump and Zelensky got into a spat at the White House.&nbsp;
Zelenskyy previously accused the US of "constantly" changing the terms of the proposed deal, but he added he did not want Washington to think Kyiv was against it.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peace-talks-not-easy-nato-chief-mark-rutte-says-during-meeting-with-zelensky-in-odesa-8965818">US-led peace talks &lsquo;not easy&rsquo;: NATO chief Mark Rutte says during meeting with Zelensky in Odesa</a>
<h2>China supplying Russia with artillery</h2>
The Ukrainian president said that Ukraine has evidence of China supplying Russia with artillery and gunpowder.
He claimed that Beijing is helping with certain weapons production on Russian territory.
"We believe that Chinese representatives are engaged in the production of some weapons on the territory of Russia," he said at a news conference in Kyiv.&nbsp;
WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-double-whammy-for-zelensky-missiles-from-putin-brickbats-from-trump-8966060">Russia-Ukraine war: Double whammy for Zelensky: Missiles from Putin &amp; brickbats from Trump</a>
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Ukrainian President Zelensky attacked Trump's envoy Witkoff, stressing that Ukraine would not discuss territorial questions until a ceasefire was put in place. WORLD

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday (April 17) blamed US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff for "spreading Russian narratives" about the Ukraine war. Zelensky had strained relations with the US after he got himself into a war of words with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. However, after putting some effort in the past week, the relations have "probably" come back to normal. Today again, during a news conference in Kyiv, Zelensky attacked Trump's envoy Witkoff, stressing that Ukraine would not discuss territorial questions until a ceasefire was put in place. Also read: ‘Put pressure on the killers’: Zelensky urges partners ahead of US, EU talks in Paris to end Ukraine war Currently, US envoy Steve Witkoff and US state secretary Marco Rubio are holding second round of meetings at the Élysée Palace with a group of European partners, talking with senior representatives of the British, French German, and Ukrainian administrations. Minerals deal could be signed today Zelensky also said that Ukraine could sign the minerals deal memorandum with the US today during an online meeting. Trump has been pushing for a deal that would allow the US to share in profits of Ukraine's rare earth minerals and natural resources. The two leaders were supposed to sign the deal during Zelensky's visit to the US, however, it got postponed after Trump and Zelensky got into a spat at the White House. Zelenskyy previously accused the US of "constantly" changing the terms of the proposed deal, but he added he did not want Washington to think Kyiv was against it. Also read: US-led peace talks ‘not easy’: NATO chief Mark Rutte says during meeting with Zelensky in Odesa China supplying Russia with artillery The Ukrainian president said that Ukraine has evidence of China supplying Russia with artillery and gunpowder. He claimed that Beijing is helping with certain weapons production on Russian territory. "We believe that Chinese representatives are engaged in the production of some weapons on the territory of Russia," he said at a news conference in Kyiv. WATCH | Russia-Ukraine war: Double whammy for Zelensky: Missiles from Putin & brickbats from Trump

'US envoy spreading Russian narratives': Zelensky blames Witkoff, says Ukraine-US minerals deal could be signed today

The United States has reportedly stopped a planned G7 statement condemning Russia&rsquo;s deadly missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, Bloomberg reported on 15 April, citing unnamed sources. The move was made to avoid disrupting peace talks between Moscow and Washington.
Russia&rsquo;s attack on Sumy took place on Palm Sunday, 13 April, leaving 35 people dead and 119 injured. It was one of the deadliest assaults on the city since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-rips-china-for-reneging-on-boeing-deal-slams-biden-vows-to-protect-farmers-8965717" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'China was brutal': Trump rips China for &lsquo;reneging&rsquo; on Boeing deal, vows to &lsquo;protect farmers&rsquo;</a>
<h2>Canada says statement blocked without US support</h2>
Canada, which currently holds the G7 presidency, is said to have informed the group that a joint statement could not go forward without American backing. The proposed text would have described the attack as proof that Russia remains intent on continuing the war.
<h2>Trump calls strike &ldquo;terrible,&rdquo; but suggests it was a mistake</h2>
While several European leaders have called the strike a war crime, US President Donald Trump gave a more muted response. He called the attack &ldquo;terrible&rdquo; but suggested it might have happened by &ldquo;mistake,&rdquo; without offering further explanation.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-does-putin-wants-now-trump-envoy-witkoff-says-peace-deal-hinges-on-5-territories-and-ukraine-may-have-to-give-them-up-8964993" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">What does Putin want now? Trump envoy Witkoff says peace deal hinges on '5 territories' and Ukraine may have&nbsp;to&nbsp;give&nbsp;them&nbsp;up</a>
<h2>Rubio offers condolences but no push on Moscow</h2>
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed sympathy for the victims, calling it a &ldquo;horrifying Russian missile attack on Sumy,&rdquo; but did not call for stronger action against Moscow.
This isn&rsquo;t the first time the US has held back from G7 unity over the Ukraine war. The Trump administration has previously opposed a joint statement marking the third anniversary of Russia&rsquo;s full-scale invasion. It also rejected a plan to track Russia&rsquo;s shadow fleet of oil tankers evading sanctions.
Since returning to office in January, President Trump has shifted American policy on the conflict, reopening direct communication with the Kremlin and putting pressure on Kyiv by pausing military aid.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-vances-relationship-hits-new-low-us-vp-hits-back-after-ukraine-accuses-us-of-siding-with-russia-8965615">'Sort of absurd': Zelensky, Vance&rsquo;s relationship hits new low; US VP hits back after Ukraine accuses US of siding with Russia</a>
Trump has promised to secure a quick ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, but progress has been slow. Moscow has refused a 30-day truce backed by the US and Ukraine and laid out conditions that Kyiv might not agree to, leaving both nations at a stalemate.

World: Russia’s attack on Sumy took place on Palm Sunday, 13 April, leaving 35 people dead and 119 injured. It was one of the deadliest assaults on the city since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

The United States has reportedly stopped a planned G7 statement condemning Russia’s deadly missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, Bloomberg reported on 15 April, citing unnamed sources. The move was made to avoid disrupting peace talks between Moscow and Washington. Russia’s attack on Sumy took place on Palm Sunday, 13 April, leaving 35 people dead and 119 injured. It was one of the deadliest assaults on the city since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Also read: 'China was brutal': Trump rips China for ‘reneging’ on Boeing deal, vows to ‘protect farmers’ Canada says statement blocked without US support Canada, which currently holds the G7 presidency, is said to have informed the group that a joint statement could not go forward without American backing. The proposed text would have described the attack as proof that Russia remains intent on continuing the war. Trump calls strike “terrible,” but suggests it was a mistake While several European leaders have called the strike a war crime, US President Donald Trump gave a more muted response. He called the attack “terrible” but suggested it might have happened by “mistake,” without offering further explanation. Also read: What does Putin want now? Trump envoy Witkoff says peace deal hinges on '5 territories' and Ukraine may have to give them up Rubio offers condolences but no push on Moscow US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed sympathy for the victims, calling it a “horrifying Russian missile attack on Sumy,” but did not call for stronger action against Moscow. This isn’t the first time the US has held back from G7 unity over the Ukraine war. The Trump administration has previously opposed a joint statement marking the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. It also rejected a plan to track Russia’s shadow fleet of oil tankers evading sanctions. Since returning to office in January, President Trump has shifted American policy on the conflict, reopening direct communication with the Kremlin and putting pressure on Kyiv by pausing military aid. Also read: 'Sort of absurd': Zelensky, Vance’s relationship hits new low; US VP hits back after Ukraine accuses US of siding with Russia Trump has promised to secure a quick ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, but progress has been slow. Moscow has refused a 30-day truce backed by the US and Ukraine and laid out conditions that Kyiv might not agree to, leaving both nations at a stalemate.

Brutus at the G7? Trump blocks allies’ plan to condemn Russia over deadly Sumy strike

US Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/visa-to-study-not-to-become-social-activist-us-state-secretary-rubio-after-detention-of-turkish-student-for-supporting-hamas-8902463" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Marco Rubio</a> said on Friday (April 04) that President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/donald-trump" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a> would not allow himself to be caught in &ldquo;endless negotiations&rdquo; with Russia over the war in Ukraine, and that it would soon become clear whether Moscow was genuinely interested in peace.
Speaking in Brussels following discussions with NATO allies, Rubio addressed concerns from partner nations about Trump&rsquo;s ongoing push for a peace deal with the Kremlin.
&ldquo;President Trump is not going to fall into the trap of endless negotiations about negotiations,&rdquo; Rubio told reporters after the talks.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dangerous-us-issues-travel-advisory-asks-americans-to-not-travel-to-russia-ukraine-19-other-countries-full-list-here-8922353">DANGEROUS! US issues travel advisory, asks Americans to 'not travel' to Russia, Ukraine &amp; 19 other countries. Full list HERE</a>
&ldquo;We will know soon enough, in a matter of weeks, not months, whether Russia is serious about peace or not,&rdquo; he added.
<h2>Pressure mounts over ceasefire efforts</h2>
While the Trump administration is continuing to call for a partial ceasefire, both sides in the conflict are still accusing each other of ongoing attacks. Trump, despite seeking better relations with Moscow, has expressed frustration at the slow progress in talks aimed at ending the violence.
Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed a US-Ukrainian proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire. Moscow has said any agreement in the Black Sea region would depend on the West easing its sanctions.
Rubio, however, praised Ukraine for its readiness to de-escalate and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-building-more-nuclear-icebreakers-to-cut-worsening-arctic-8924309">Russia building more Nuclear icebreakers to cut 'worsening Arctic'</a>
&ldquo;Ukraine has shown a willingness to enter into a complete ceasefire and create space for negotiation,&rdquo; he said.
&ldquo;The Russians and Putin will have to make a decision about whether they're serious for peace or not. If it's a delay tactic, the President&rsquo;s not interested in that,&rdquo; he said.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: “President Trump is not going to fall into the trap of endless negotiations about negotiations,” Rubio told reporters after the talks.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday (April 04) that President Donald Trump would not allow himself to be caught in “endless negotiations” with Russia over the war in Ukraine, and that it would soon become clear whether Moscow was genuinely interested in peace. Speaking in Brussels following discussions with NATO allies, Rubio addressed concerns from partner nations about Trump’s ongoing push for a peace deal with the Kremlin. “President Trump is not going to fall into the trap of endless negotiations about negotiations,” Rubio told reporters after the talks. Also read: DANGEROUS! US issues travel advisory, asks Americans to 'not travel' to Russia, Ukraine & 19 other countries. Full list HERE “We will know soon enough, in a matter of weeks, not months, whether Russia is serious about peace or not,” he added. Pressure mounts over ceasefire efforts While the Trump administration is continuing to call for a partial ceasefire, both sides in the conflict are still accusing each other of ongoing attacks. Trump, despite seeking better relations with Moscow, has expressed frustration at the slow progress in talks aimed at ending the violence. Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed a US-Ukrainian proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire. Moscow has said any agreement in the Black Sea region would depend on the West easing its sanctions. Rubio, however, praised Ukraine for its readiness to de-escalate and engage in meaningful dialogue. Also read: Russia building more Nuclear icebreakers to cut 'worsening Arctic' “Ukraine has shown a willingness to enter into a complete ceasefire and create space for negotiation,” he said. “The Russians and Putin will have to make a decision about whether they're serious for peace or not. If it's a delay tactic, the President’s not interested in that,” he said. (With inputs from agencies)

'Trump not interested in delay tactic on Ukraine': Rubio warns Putin, says Russia must ‘decide if it’s serious about peace’

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