In an exclusive interview with Fox News on February 26, 2025, at the Harry S. Truman Building, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sat down with host Brian Kilmeade to discuss the Trump administration’s foreign policy priorities just over 30 days into his tenure. Confirmed by the Senate with an overwhelming 99 votes, Rubio reflected on his whirlwind start, tackling pressing global issues like the Ukraine-Russia war, border security, and the rising influence of China—all while aligning with President Donald Trump’s ambitious agenda.
A Push for Peace in Ukraine
Rubio emphasized the administration’s urgency in addressing the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, now in its third year as of March 2025. “President Trump views it as a dumb war, a costly war—it’s a meat grinder, and it has to stop,” Rubio said, underscoring Trump’s campaign promise to pursue peace. On February 25, 2025, reports surfaced that a mineral deal involving Ukraine’s natural resources was nearing completion, a development Rubio credited to Treasury Secretary Bessent’s efforts. “We’re at the half-yard line,” Rubio quipped, likening the negotiations to a football play.
The deal, aimed at leveraging Ukraine’s resources to repay American taxpayers and bolster its economy post-conflict, could pave the way for broader peace talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to visit Washington, D.C., this week—March 3-7, 2025—following tensions with Trump over communication breakdowns. Rubio dismissed claims of disengagement, noting he spoke with Ukraine’s foreign minister twice between February 20 and February 25, 2025, and that Trump called Zelenskyy immediately after a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 18, 2025.
When pressed on Russia’s sincerity in seeking peace, Rubio admitted uncertainty but stressed the administration’s strategy: “We’re going to test it. If their demands are unrealistic, we’ll know they’re not serious.” He recounted a February 2025 meeting in Saudi Arabia with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, where U.S. diplomats proposed follow-up talks to explore an end to hostilities. “President Trump is a dealmaker and a peacemaker,” Rubio said. “He won’t be suckered into a bad deal, but he wants to know early—are the Russians serious?”
Border Security: A Regional Approach
Rubio’s first month saw him visit six Central and South American nations—Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras—between January 20 and February 15, 2025, signaling a focus on curbing illegal migration at its source. “Our border begins there,” Rubio explained, referencing the migratory route through the Darién Gap and northward. He highlighted agreements with these countries to accept repatriation flights not only for their nationals but also third-country migrants, contributing to a sharp decline in U.S. southern border crossings since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025.
“People realize this isn’t Joe Biden’s administration,” Rubio said. “Under President Trump, you can’t just claim asylum and stay forever.” He cited a February 25, 2025, call with a Central American leader who reported migrants making “U-turns” upon hearing of stricter enforcement. In Panama, Rubio celebrated a milestone: on February 10, 2025, it became the first Western Hemisphere nation to exit China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a move he linked to U.S. diplomatic pressure.
Confronting China and Regional Threats
Rubio identified China as “the most dangerous near-peer adversary the U.S. has ever faced,” pointing to its military buildup and daily incursions near Taiwan as of March 2025. He outlined a three-pronged strategy: boosting U.S. domestic manufacturing to reduce reliance on China, maintaining a strong presence in the Indo-Pacific, and enhancing military capabilities. “If China knows we can respond, they won’t test us,” Rubio warned, reaffirming U.S. commitments to Taiwan’s defense against forced changes to its status, a policy unchanged since the 1970s.
Closer to home, Rubio addressed Venezuela’s destabilizing role under Nicolás Maduro, whom he called a “horrible dictator” on February 26, 2025. While celebrating Ric Grenell’s success in securing the release of six American hostages from Venezuela on February 20, 2025, Rubio denied legitimizing Maduro’s regime. “They’re obligated under international law to take back their nationals,” he said, noting Honduras received Venezuelan gang members from Guantanamo Bay that week. Rubio hinted at future action against Maduro’s ties to Iran and China but declined to elaborate.
NATO and European Relations
Responding to German Chancellor-elect Friedrich Merz’s March 1, 2025, remarks questioning U.S. commitment to NATO, Rubio dismissed fears of abandonment. “NATO isn’t in jeopardy—what’s in jeopardy is Allies not spending on their own defense,” he said, echoing Trump’s call for richer European nations like Germany and France to invest beyond their current 1-2% of GDP. “It’s not fair for the U.S. to be their security blanket,” Rubio argued, citing Poland and Czechia as models of responsible spending.
A Fast Start with More to Come
From Panama to Saudi Arabia, Rubio’s 30-plus days as Secretary of State have been marked by intense travel and diplomacy. He praised Trump’s leadership for driving progress on border security and peace initiatives, while acknowledging challenges ahead. “It’s been exhilarating,” Rubio concluded. “The President moves quickly, and we’re doing the work of diplomacy to match his pace.”
As Zelenskyy’s visit looms and talks with Russia unfold, the world watches to see if Trump’s dealmaking can deliver on Rubio’s promises. For now, the administration’s message is clear: America is back, engaged, and unafraid to confront its adversaries.