Scoop: Rubio and EU official had heated exchange on Russia at G7 meeting
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Rubio (L) and Kallas (C) at the Munich Security Conference in February. Photo: Ronald Wittek/Pool/AFP via Getty
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio when the U.S. would get tough on Russia during a G7 ministers meeting on Friday, sparking a sharp retort, according to three sources who attended the meeting.
Why it matters: The tense exchange, which took place in front of allied foreign ministers, was symptomatic of the mutual distrust between the U.S. and many of its European allies over the war in Ukraine.
Behind the scenes: During a discussion of Ukraine, Kallas — a Russia hawk and former prime minister of Estonia — criticized the U.S. for not increasing pressure on Moscow, according to the sources.
- She noted that Rubio had said at the same forum a year earlier that if Russia hampered U.S. efforts to end the war, the U.S. would run out of patience and take more steps against the Kremlin.
- "A year has passed and Russia hasn't moved," Kallas told Rubio, according to the sources. "When is your patience going to run out?"
The other side: Rubio was visibly annoyed, according to the sources.
- "We are doing the best we can to end the war. If you think you can do it better, go ahead. We will step aside," he fired back, raising his voice.
- Rubio said the U.S. was trying to talk to both sides, but was only helping one side, Ukraine, with weapons, intelligence and other support.
- After that heated exchange, several European ministers in the room interjected to say they still wanted the U.S. to pursue Russia-Ukraine diplomacy, one source said.
- Two sources said that at the end of the meeting, Rubio and Kallas had a short pull-aside to try and cool down things.
What they're saying: "It was a frank exchange of views. This is what diplomacy is for," a State Department official told Axios.
- A spokesperson for Kallas declined to comment.
In a gaggle with reporters after the G7 meeting, Rubio denied there had been any tensions or criticism.
- "These meetings are oftentimes about thanking America for the role we played... and appreciation for the mediating role we've tried to play in this war between Russia and Ukraine," Rubio said. No one there screams or raises their voices or says anything negative."
Zoom out: European leaders have been nervous about the U.S.-led peace talks between Ukraine and Russia for months.
- The war in Iran increased the anxiety in Europe, especially after the U.S. gave waivers to allow the sale of Russian oil, now at ever-higher prices.
- Last weekend, a senior Ukrainian delegation visited Miami and met Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to discuss the peace process.
- Ukrainian officials said no significant progress has been made recently and it was clear the U.S. attention is completely focused on Iran.
