President Donald Trump is reluctant to publicly criticize or insult Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, believing that such actions hinder negotiations toward a potential end to the Russia-Ukraine war, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in an interview with CNN.

As a senator, Marco Rubio prided himself on challenging tyrants. But as secretary of state, President Trump has tasked him with helping to potentially turn Russia from an enemy into an ally.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky to take responsibility and apologize for turning Friday’s explosive Oval Office meeting into a “fiasco.” Rubio, who was seated feet away from the 47-year-old Ukranian leader,