WASHINGTON– U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that a growing number of Middle Eastern and African nations are expressing interest in joining the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, which facilitated the historic normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Israel and Bahrain. Rubio made the remarks in an interview with Breitbart News, highlighting the accords as a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy in the region.
Rubio suggested that the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in mass casualties, was partly an attempt to derail the expansion of the accords. “In some ways, it was an effort to stop that from happening,” Rubio said. “No regime on the planet is more freaked out and anti-Abraham Accords expansion than Iran, which is why they were involved in getting Hamas to do October 7.”
Despite this disruption, Rubio expressed optimism about the accords’ future, noting that “there is a lot of countries out there that would love to enter the Abraham Accords” once the war in Gaza concludes. He emphasized that any expansion would need to ensure Israel’s security interests are addressed. While declining to name specific nations, Rubio hinted at broad regional interest, stating, “We’ve had more and more countries sort of come forward and say they would like to join as well from the region, including Africa.” He described the potential growth of the accords as “one of the great developments of this term.”
In the same interview, Rubio defended the U.S. decision to vote against a Ukraine-led United Nations resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine while simultaneously sponsoring a separate resolution calling for an end to the conflict. He framed the move as part of a broader diplomatic strategy ahead of peace talks involving both sides, as well as efforts to strengthen ties between Washington and Moscow.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the media following the vote, stating that the U.S. believes the UN must return to its core mission of preventing and ending wars. “The President has made it clear that he wants to end this war. Too many lives have been lost, and we need to bring this conflict to a close,” Rubio said. He criticized the European resolution as being antagonistic and counterproductive to peace efforts, asserting that the U.S. compromise resolution reflects a more balanced approach.
The U.S. resolution, which Rubio described as containing “very fair language,” acknowledges the devastating impact of war and calls for an enduring resolution to the conflict. Notably, the Russian delegation did not veto the U.S. resolution, which Rubio interpreted as a positive sign for future negotiations.
In a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron, President Trump expressed hope that the conflict could be resolved in a matter of weeks rather than months. When asked about the steps necessary to achieve this, Rubio emphasized the importance of dialogue with both Russia and Ukraine. “We need to get both sides to the table and understand what it would take for them to agree to end the conflict,” he stated.
Rubio also pushed back against criticism from establishment media, which accused the administration of being too lenient towards Russia. “It’s hypocritical for those who demand a ceasefire in one conflict while advocating for prolonged warfare in another,” he argued. He reiterated that any successful negotiation would require concessions from both sides, a hallmark of mature foreign policy.
The Secretary of State addressed concerns regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s comments about seeking nuclear weapons if NATO membership remains unattainable. Rubio dismissed this as an unrealistic demand, stating, “We need fewer nuclear-armed countries, not more.”
Additionally, Rubio highlighted the issue of Western companies being seized by Russia, including the recent takeover of an American canned food manufacturer. He indicated that this would be part of future discussions with Russian officials, emphasizing the need to restore functional diplomatic relations.
Reflecting on the broader geopolitical landscape, Rubio noted the increasing alignment between Russia and China, warning that a dependent Russia could pose a long-term threat to U.S. interests. He stressed the importance of maintaining open lines of communication with both nations to avoid further escalation of tensions.
In a related development, Rubio’s recent trip to Panama marked a strategic focus on Latin America, where he successfully encouraged the Panamanian government to withdraw from China’s Belt and Road Initiative. He underscored the significance of strengthening ties with pro-American leaders in the region to address migration and security challenges.
As the U.S. navigates these complex international waters, Rubio’s remarks reflect a commitment to a foreign policy centered on peace, stability, and the protection of American interests. The administration’s approach aims to foster dialogue and cooperation while addressing the pressing issues of war and conflict in Ukraine and beyond.
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