Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, appeared on CBS's "Face the Nation" with Margaret Brennan while in Jerusalem during his trip across Europe and the Middle East. In a discussion about his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Rubio emphasized their shared objective of securing the release of hostages. "We want to see every hostage released," he stated, acknowledging that details on negotiations would remain private for safety reasons.
When questioned about Iran and a potential diplomatic deal under President Trump’s administration, Rubio remarked on Israel's right to act in its national interest and noted no outreach from Iran regarding negotiations. He expressed skepticism about Iran’s past diplomatic efforts.
Rubio also addressed President Trump's recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin concerning peace talks related to Ukraine. He stressed that this initial call was only a first step towards potentially ending the conflict but acknowledged it would require further actions. "One phone call does not solve a war as complex as this one," he said.
Regarding upcoming meetings in Saudi Arabia and potential discussions with Russian officials, Rubio stated that nothing had been finalized yet but affirmed readiness to explore any opportunities for peace if they arise.
In response to Vice President Vance's comments at the Munich Security Conference, where Vance described internal threats as more significant than external ones like Russia or China, Rubio defended free speech as fundamental within democracies. He disagreed with criticisms linking free speech to historical atrocities such as genocide under Nazi Germany.
Rubio concluded by underscoring America's commitment to promoting peace globally rather than engaging in conflicts: "I think everyone should be celebrating the fact that we have an American President that is seeking to promote peace in the world."