INTERVIEWER: Good morning, and welcome to Face the Nation. We kick off today’s discussion with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, currently in Jerusalem for the second leg of his diplomatic journey through Europe and the Middle East.

Mr. Secretary, I appreciate you joining us this evening after a long day. Your schedule has been quite packed, including a recent meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. He mentioned that he is aligned with the Trump Administration but couldn’t disclose specifics regarding, quote, “when the Gates of Hell will be opened… if all our hostages are not freed.”

Was there any indication from him about wanting to continue negotiations towards the next phase of this hostage agreement?

SECRETARY RUBIO: Absolutely. We share an overarching objective: the release of every hostage. The President and I are determined to see them returned as expeditiously as possible. It’s heart-wrenching for the world to witness the plight of these individuals, especially since some have been held for nearly two years. This situation is utterly tragic.

We work hand in hand with our allies on this matter, fully committed to the goal of bringing every hostage home without unnecessary delay. Naturally, while we have specific operational details and strategies, we won’t disclose them publicly, as doing so could jeopardize the hostages’ safety and the overall process. But suffice it to say, if it were solely within our power, every one of these individuals would already be back home.

INTERVIEWER: So, to clarify, the agreement remains intact?

SECRETARY RUBIO: Indeed, our aim is to ensure the prompt release of every hostage.

INTERVIEWER: Understood.

SECRETARY RUBIO: We are eager to see all hostages return. Under this agreement, certain individuals are scheduled for release next weekend, and we anticipate that happening. Our goal is to expedite this process as much as possible. We are not in favor of extending the wait unnecessarily; while that may be the current framework established by the agreement, we strive to bring everyone home quickly. Who wouldn’t wish for these hostages to reunite with their families?

INTERVIEWER: Moving on, I’d like to discuss Iran. President Trump has expressed a desire for a diplomatic resolution with Iran. Are there any outreach efforts taking place? Furthermore, does the U.S. support a preemptive strike by Israel against Iran’s nuclear program?

SECRETARY RUBIO: First and foremost, Israel must act in accordance with its national interests and defense, so I won’t comment on their specific strategies regarding this or any other issue.

However, I can state that we have seen no outreach from Iran whatsoever. Historically, Iran’s diplomatic initiatives have merely aimed to extend time frames while continuing their enrichment activities, sponsoring terrorism, and developing long-range weapons, adding instability throughout the region. To be clear, there has been absolutely zero interest expressed by Iran regarding any negotiated settlement.

Ideally, I’d love to wake up one day to news that Iran has chosen to abandon its nuclear pursuits, halted terrorism sponsorship, and engaged with the international community as a responsible nation. Unfortunately, there has been no indication of such a shift—not now, and not for the past thirty years.

INTERVIEWER: Next, you will travel to Saudi Arabia. I know Gaza will be part of your discussions, but we’ve also learned that Saudi Arabia is trying to mediate diplomacy with Russia regarding Ukraine. Which Russian officials do you anticipate meeting, and what will be the focus of your discussions? Do you believe Vladimir Putin is genuinely ready to negotiate?

SECRETARY RUBIO: What I can share is that President Trump had a conversation with Vladimir Putin last week, where Putin expressed interest in achieving peace. The President conveyed his desire for a durable resolution that protects Ukrainian sovereignty—one that doesn’t merely postpone future hostilities for another three or four years. This was an encouraging dialogue, but of course, action is what matters most.

In the coming days and weeks, we’ll see if these discussions signal true intent. One phone call can’t transform a complex war into peace. However, it’s worth noting that Donald Trump is the only global leader in a position to initiate this process. Others have tried but faced obstacles. His campaign promise was to work toward a sustainable and fair resolution to this conflict.

Yet, we still have considerable work to do. A single conversation or meeting won’t yield results. However, as the old saying goes, even the longest journeys begin with a first step. We will have to wait and see what unfolds.

INTERVIEWER: Who will you meet with there?

SECRETARY RUBIO: Nothing has been finalized at this moment. My trip to Saudi Arabia was scheduled prior to this engagement. We announced it just over a week ago. If any opportunities arise to further the discussions initiated by President Trump regarding a broader conversation involving Ukraine and the end of this conflict—as well as engaging our allies worldwide, especially in Europe—we will explore that. However, I have no specific details to share right now. We are prepared to follow the President’s directive and seek paths to peace if the opportunity arises.

It’s essential to note, though, that pursuing peace is a long-term commitment. This conflict has been ongoing, complex, bloody, and costly. The resolution will not be straightforward, as multiple parties with varying interests are involved. The European Union has its sanctions, and the Ukrainians are fighting for their homeland. Thus, a single meeting will not suffice. Nevertheless, the President is committed to ending this war, and if suitable opportunities arise, we will seize them. The next few days will be significant.

INTERVIEWER: To clarify, Keith Kellogg, appointed to assist with these talks, indicated that these negotiations will occur in parallel, implying that Ukrainians and Russians aren’t yet in direct communication. When you meet your Russian counterpart, will you be advocating for Ukraine’s position?

SECRETARY RUBIO: First, it’s crucial to recognize that there isn’t currently an established process in place.

INTERVIEWER: Right.

SECRETARY RUBIO: At the moment, the dialogue consists of a phone call between Putin and President Trump, where both leaders conveyed their interest in resolving the conflict. I expect there will be follow-up communications to establish how we can move forward. However, it’s premature to share specifics. I understand there have been various reactions due to a lack of substantial discussions, but we must return to the key issue. President Trump clearly stated his belief that this war must come to an end. If we identify a pathway to conclude it, we will pursue it. Eventually, if genuine negotiations materialize—which they haven’t yet—Ukraine must be involved, given they are the nation that has been invaded. Additionally, European nations will need to be part of this process due to the sanctions they’ve imposed on Russia. We are just not at that point yet, though we are hopeful for progress, as we all wish to see the war concluded.

INTERVIEWER: Certainly. The previous administration maintained contact with Russian intelligence agencies, but they found no evidence that Putin was interested in negotiations. Considering past actions, do you trust that this time might be different?

SECRETARY RUBIO: In geopolitics, trusting anyone is inherently precarious. These situations must be validated through actions. I mentioned yesterday that peace isn’t merely theoretical; it’s a series of actionable steps.

In American politics, I believe there is no better negotiator than Trump.

INTERVIEWER: Agreed.

SECRETARY RUBIO: President Trump will quickly determine whether these overtures are genuine or simply a strategy to buy time. However, I don’t want to preemptively judge the situation or limit the possibility of ending a conflict that has already taken countless lives and continues to escalate on both sides. We should celebrate the fact that we have a President striving to promote global peace rather than instigate wars—seeking to conclude them sustainably is worth acknowledging. The outcome may not rely solely on us, but time will reveal what transpires.

INTERVIEWER: You also spoke with Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov. The Russian side claimed your conversation included discussions on restoring trade and contemplated the easing of sanctions, as well as holding a high-level leaders meeting. Is the Trump Administration genuinely considering lifting sanctions on Russia?

SECRETARY RUBIO: The purpose of that call was to establish communication channels in line with President Trump’s recent dialogue with Putin. If we are to foster any progress toward peace, communicating with the Russians will be essential. It’s a vital step that must occur.

INTERVIEWER: Regarding sanctions, what can you say?

SECRETARY RUBIO: While we didn’t delve into specifics in that conversation, the focus was on initiating communication. I had never previously engaged with Mr. Lavrov, so this was an opportunity to open that channel, which is crucial for any potential peace talks.

Additionally, I raised concerns regarding the operational difficulties of our embassy in Moscow. It’s critical to ensure that our embassy can function effectively for fruitful communication with Russia. Lavrov expressed similar concerns about his diplomatic mission in the U.S. For any negotiations towards peace to proceed, both embassies will need to be operational and functional, a matter usually addressed between foreign ministers.

INTERVIEWER: Shifting the focus to the Security Conference in Munich, Vice President Vance expressed that the greatest threat he perceives isn’t from Russia or China, but from within, citing censorship and advocating for more conservative viewpoints. He also met with the leader of the far-right AfD party, which is under scrutiny by German intelligence due to extremism. What was the outcome of these actions, aside from causing irritation among allies?

SECRETARY RUBIO: I find it perplexing that anyone would be upset about free speech and the expression of opinions. We are, after all, democracies. The Munich Security Conference serves as a platform for democracies, where fundamental values include the right to speak freely and share diverse perspectives. Thus, if anyone is angered by his statements, it seems counterproductive and ironically supports his argument.

I viewed his speech as significant. Regardless of your stance, it’s crucial to recognize that he shed light on shared values, emphasizing concerns about the erosion of democracy and free speech—principles that have historically united us through two World Wars and the defeat of Soviet communism. In that context, it’s entirely valid to raise apprehensions about any regression in these values.

INTERVIEWER: Indeed.

SECRETARY RUBIO: Moreover, I must clarify that free speech is not responsible for genocide; that was the action of an authoritarian regime that persecuted various groups, particularly Jews. There was no free speech or opposition in Nazi Germany—those ideas didn’t exist within that brutal dictatorship. What I am stressing is the point made in the Vice President’s speech: there is an observable decline in free speech and tolerance for differing opinions across Europe, which is concerning as it undermines the very values that unify us.

I had discussions with multiple foreign ministers from various European nations, many of whom may not have agreed with the Vice President’s statements but continued engaging on numerous matters of mutual concern. Ultimately, it is important for democratic leaders to express their views freely in forums designated for open dialogue, rather than expecting unanimous agreement.

INTERVIEWER: Mr. Secretary, we’ve run out of time. Thank you for your insights today.

SECRETARY RUBIO: Thank you.

INTERVIEWER: We’ll reconvene shortly.