A social media post has circulated claiming that Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio suggested allowing Russia to control parts of Ukraine as a way to end the ongoing war.

US Senator Marco Rubio:

Allowing Russia to control part of Ukraine may be the only way out of the war.

If the war doesn’t stop, Ukraine will go back 100 years. pic.twitter.com/vJDqePBNRK

— S p r i n t e r (@SprinterFamily) November 7, 2024

Verdict: Misleading 

While Senator Rubio has voiced concern over the protracted nature of the war, he has not publicly endorsed the idea of allowing Russia to control Ukrainian territory.

Fact Check:

Former President Donald Trump is expected to name Rubio as his nominee for Secretary of State during his administration, according to CNN. Trump was previously leaning towards appointing former National Intelligence Director Ric Grenell, but did not select him, the outlet reported.

The X post claims Rubio commented that the best solution to ending the Ukraine war would be allowing Russia to permanently control areas of the country it has claimed. “Allowing Russia to control part of Ukraine may be the only way out of the war,” the post’s caption reads in part, attributing the quote to Rubio. “If the war doesn’t stop, Ukraine will go back 100 years.” (RELATED: Did Nancy Pelosi Say It Is Not A Good Morning After The Election?)

Rubio has commented on the need for a pragmatic approach to end the Ukraine conflict, but he hasn’t suggested allowing Russia to control Ukrainian territory as a solution. During a recent interview on NBC’s Meet the Press and on the Today Show, Rubio said the war appears to be in a “stalemate” and argued for a negotiated settlement as a realistic path to peace. He highlighted the bravery of Ukrainians but expressed concern about the U.S. funding a prolonged conflict, suggesting that a practical end to the hostilities should be prioritized to prevent further destruction and economic strain on Ukraine.

Rubio also discussed former President Trump’s claim that he could end the conflict within 24 hours, noting that Trump’s approach could potentially help achieve a quick resolution, though Rubio did not endorse specific concessions to Russia. Additionally, he mentioned that Ukraine would face a long recovery process due to the extensive damage caused by the ongoing war, which could take decades to rebuild, though he did not imply any specific timeframe or suggest surrendering territory to Russia.

This clarification is consistent with his previous statements and the broader U.S. policy stance, which emphasizes a strong response to Russian aggression and a commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty​.