'Unless He Gives Up Territory': Rubio Slams Zelenskyy, Says US May Divert Ukraine Arms To Iran

Last Updated:March 28, 2026, 05:34 IST

Rubio accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of lying over Washington's demands for Kyiv to cede the eastern Donbas region to Russia.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of lying over Washington’s demands for Kyiv to cede the eastern Donbas region to Russia for post-war security guarantees, and hinted at diverting weapons earmarked for Ukraine to support the war in Iran.

In an interview, Zelenskyy claimed that the United States was pressing Ukraine to cede the eastern Donbas region to Russia before finalising any post-war security guarantees. “The Middle East definitely has an impact on President Trump, and I think on his next steps. President Trump, unfortunately, in my opinion, still chooses a strategy of putting more pressure on the Ukrainian side," he told Reuters.

“I would very much like the American side to understand that the eastern part of our country is part of our security guarantees," he said. Three rounds of high-level talks between the US, Russia and Ukraine had earlier failed to yield any breakthrough to end the four-year war.

Speaking to reporters after the G7 meeting in France, Rubio gave a furious reply to Zelenskyy’s remarks, saying , “That’s a lie. I saw him say that and it’s unfortunate he would say that, because he knows that’s not true."

“What he was told is the obvious: security guarantees are not going to kick in until there’s an end to a war, because otherwise you’re getting yourself involved in the war. That was not attached to, unless he gives up territory. I don’t know why he says these things. It’s not true," he added.

Rubio further said the US was open to shifting assistance to Ukraine to support the US-Israeli war against Iran. “Nothing yet has been diverted, but it could. If we need something for America and it’s American, we’re going to keep it for America first," Rubio said.

ALSO READ: ‘Iran Objectives Could Be Met Without Ground Troops’: Rubio Walks Back Escalation Amid Talks

His remarks came as a sizable number of US Patriot air defence missiles have been moved from Europe toward West Asia as Washington is diverting resources toward its war on Iran, raising concerns over European defences against Russia, according to a report by the Associated Press.

Two Patriot missile systems were sent from Germany to Turkey after several ballistic missiles were fired toward Turkey from Iran since the start of the war, as per the report. Zelenskyy had earlier warned that Kyiv will “definitely" face shortages of Patriot systems because of the war against Iran.

Trump had recently criticised Zelenskyy again, saying that he needs to accept compromises and comparing him unfavourably with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine sent a delegation to the United States last weekend in a bid to revive the negotiation process, but the effort yielded no immediate result.

(with inputs from agencies)

News world 'Unless He Gives Up Territory': Rubio Slams Zelenskyy, Says US May Divert Ukraine Arms To Iran

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