This is the transcript from an interview with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on February 16, 2025.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Good morning and thank you for joining us on “Face the Nation.” We start today with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is currently in Jerusalem as part of his trip throughout Europe and the Middle East. Mr. Secretary, I understand it’s evening in Jerusalem, and you’ve had a full day—thank you for taking the time to be with us. Your agenda is packed. Earlier, you met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who expressed alignment with the Trump administration, though he refrained from providing specifics on, quote, “when the gates of hell will open…if all our hostages are not released.” Did he convey his intent to keep negotiations active for the next phase of the hostage agreement?
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO: Our goal is unified; we want to see the release of every hostage. Honestly, both the President and I agree that we want them home as soon as possible. The world has witnessed the distressing images of these individuals, some of whom have endured this for nearly two years—it’s an unimaginable situation. We are working closely with them towards this goal. It’s essential every hostage returns home immediately. While there are specifics on our strategic coordination that we must keep confidential to protect the hostages and the process, our wish is clear: if it were up to us, every one of these individuals would be home right now.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, the agreement remains intact?
SECRETARY RUBIO: We want all hostages released posthaste. According to the current plan, some are expected to be freed next weekend, and we anticipate that happening. However, we are not inclined to wait for extended periods. While the deal may dictate a timeline, our desire is that they come home swiftly, and our coordination continues to prioritize that outcome. Who wouldn’t want all these hostages reunited with their families?
MARGARET BRENNAN: Understood. Let’s shift the focus to Iran. President Trump has expressed a desire for a diplomatic resolution. Are you making contact with them? Additionally, does the U.S. consent to a preemptive strike by Israel against Iran’s nuclear program?
SECRETARY RUBIO: First and foremost, Israel must act in accordance with its national interests and defense strategies. I cannot comment on their specific plans. We have not observed any overtures from Iran. Historically, Iran’s diplomatic endeavors have been tactics aimed at prolonging their nuclear ambitions while simultaneously supporting terrorism and destabilizing the region. There has been no meaningful outreach from Iran regarding negotiations to date. Ideally, I would love for the news to announce that Iran has abandoned its nuclear pursuits, ceased sponsoring terrorism, and re-engaged as a responsible global member. Unfortunately, we’ve seen no signs of this, not now, nor in the past 30 years.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Your next stop is Saudi Arabia, where you’ll address issues related to Gaza, but we also understand that Saudi Arabia is facilitating diplomatic discussions with Russia concerning Ukraine. Which Russian officials do you plan to meet with, and what will the discussions entail? Do you genuinely believe Vladimir Putin is ready to negotiate and make concessions?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Here’s what I can confirm. President Trump spoke to Vladimir Putin last week, and Putin articulated a desire for peace. The President expressed his aim to find a lasting resolution that would uphold Ukrainian sovereignty, ensuring no future invasions recur. That call was significant. However, it must be translated into actionable steps—one call alone won’t cement peace in this complex war. Donald Trump stands as the only global leader capable of initiating this process. Prior attempts by others have failed. One of Trump’s campaign promises was to work towards ending this conflict in a fair and sustainable manner. This marks a crucial first step, but there’s a long journey ahead. Remember, even the longest journeys start with a single step. Let’s remain hopeful for positive progress ahead.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Who will you be meeting with?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Nothing is set in stone yet. My trip to Saudi Arabia was planned prior to this, and we announced it about a week and a half ago. If an opportunity arises to further the dialogue that President Trump initiated last week, which can pave the way for broader discussions concerning Ukraine and an end to the war, we are prepared to seize that opportunity. However, I don’t have further details at this point. We are committed to supporting the President’s vision and will pursue possibilities for peace as they arise. Understanding that peace is a lengthy and complicated process is crucial; this war has persisted for some time and comes with significant challenges. Many parties have vested opinions—Ukraine is fighting for its sovereignty, and the European Union has imposed sanctions. One meeting alone won’t resolve the conflict. I reiterate that the President has emphasized his intent to conclude this war, and if prospects emerge, we will pursue them vigorously in the coming days.
MARGARET BRENNAN: To clarify, Keith Kellogg, the envoy for these talks, indicated that negotiations would occur in parallel—meaning Ukrainians and Russians are not yet communicating directly. When you converse with your Russian counterpart, will you be advocating for Ukraine’s interests?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Currently, we lack a defined process for negotiations. The recent communication between President Trump and President Putin has opened a dialogue expressing mutual interests in ending the conflict. I anticipate there will be follow-up conversations to formulate a structured negotiation process. It might be premature to speculate, given the absence of substantive discussions thus far. But previously made points are critical; President Trump is committed to wrapping this war up, and we will pursue any chances that arise to facilitate that goal. If legitimate negotiations transpire—which we’re not at yet—they must include Ukraine as the nation under attack and involve European partners who are part of the sanctioning and support efforts. We’re hopeful, but we’re not there yet.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Certainly, the previous administration did have dialogue with Russian intelligence, but they were skeptical about Putin’s interest in engaging. Given Putin’s history, he often wields diplomacy to distract from ongoing aggression. Do you trust that this situation is different?
SECRETARY RUBIO: In geopolitics, unwavering trust is a rarity. Trust must be earned through verifiable actions. I stated previously that peace isn’t merely a noun; it requires actionable steps. I believe President Trump is one of the best negotiators in American politics and will quickly discern if this is a genuine endeavor or merely a tactic for delay. Yet we should not close the door on potential resolutions—ending a costly conflict demanding lives every day should be our common focus. It’s beneficial that we have a U.S. president advocating for peace rather than conflict.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You recently spoke with Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov. The Russian side claimed trade restoration was discussed, hinting at sanction easing and further diplomatic gestures. Is the Trump administration contemplating the removal of sanctions on Russia?
SECRETARY RUBIO: The purpose of that phone call was to establish communication lines consistent with President Trump’s prior conversation with Vladimir Putin. Progress towards peace necessitates dialogue with Russia, which is essential for any future cooperation.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And regarding sanctions?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Details of our discussion were not concrete—our primary focus was on initiating dialogue. It was my first interaction with Mr. Lavrov, and it was critical to commence that communication channel. If peace is a viable goal, open channels are necessary. Additionally, I raised concerns about our Moscow embassy operating under dire conditions. Effective communication with Russia hinges on our embassy’s functionality. This dialogue is vital for any potential peace initiatives.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I would like to address the events that unfolded in Munich during the Security Conference. Vice President Vance delivered a speech where he stated his greatest concern isn’t Russia or China, but, rather, the “threat from within,” focusing on censorship and advocating for more diverse viewpoints, particularly those from the right. He also met with the leader of a far-right party, the AfD, which German intelligence is currently investigating due to extremism. What objectives did that accomplish other than causing annoyance among our allies?
SECRETARY RUBIO: Why should allies or anyone be troubled by the expression of free speech or the sharing of opinions? We are democracies, after all. The Munich Security Conference is predominantly comprised of democracies, and one of the core values we uphold is the right to express opinions freely. If someone is offended by differing viewpoints, it ironically affirms the very concerns Vance addressed. I found his speech quite significant—whether one agrees or not. It raises important notions about respecting the values that unite us as democracies. In the context of our shared history, it’s vital to acknowledge concerns such as censorship and the erosion of those foundational values that bind us. While acceptance of criticisms is essential, we also must appreciate the importance of dialogue.
MARGARET BRENNAN: He spoke in a country where free speech was historically manipulated to facilitate genocide, and he engaged with far-right political leadership that has connections to extreme factions. Context does matter.
SECRETARY RUBIO: Here, I must respectfully disagree. Free speech was not the instrument that enabled genocide; it was wielded by an authoritarian regime that actively suppressed dissent. The primary agents of the genocide in Nazi Germany were oppressive forces with a hatred-driven agenda. The essence of his speech was to address the diminishing tolerance for opposing views in Europe, a legitimate concern. It’s about the erosion of the principles that unite us, not just military or economic issues. Leaders across the Atlantic should communicate candidly without feelings of insult arising. Many foreign ministers I engaged with may not have supported the speech but chose to continue collaborative discussions on various issues that unify us.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Unfortunately, we are out of time, Mr. Secretary. Thank you for your insights today. We’ll return shortly.
