Rep. Keating Presses Secretary Rubio on Putin's War Criminal Status

Congressional Hearing on Ukraine War

• 🇺🇸 Rep. Bill Keating questioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the US stance on the war in Ukraine and Russia's role.
• 🎯 Keating sought clarity on whether Russia is the aggressor and if Vladimir Putin is considered a war criminal.

Russia's Aggression and Putin's Status

• 🇷🇺 Rubio confirmed that Russia is the aggressor, having invaded Ukraine.
• ⚖️ When asked if Putin is a war criminal, Rubio stated that war crimes have been committed and accountability will follow, but emphasized the immediate goal is to end the war.
• 🗣️ Keating accused Rubio of equivocating, drawing parallels to Rubio's past questioning of Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson on the same issue.

Accountability and Ending the War

• 💔 Rubio explained that continuing the war results in daily deaths and further war crimes, making the immediate objective to end the conflict.
• 🤝 He stressed the necessity of communication with Putin to achieve peace, despite the ongoing atrocities.
• 🧒 A key concern mentioned is the abduction of 20,000 children from Ukraine, which Keating labeled a clear war crime.

Allied Concerns and Diplomatic Efforts

• 🌍 Keating expressed that allies are privately and publicly voicing doubts about US foreign policy and negotiations.
• 🤝 Rubio countered that he speaks with European allies daily and that their goal is to end the war and ensure the return of kidnapped children.
• 📄 An op-ed by former Ambassador Brink was submitted for the record, detailing concerns about the administration's conduct.