By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Secretary of State Marco Rubio claims he is unaware of any European counter-proposals regarding the war between Ukraine and Russia, despite meeting with European national security advisors. This response came after journalists inquired about a revised peace agreement, reportedly published in European media, as an alternative to the American plan. The E3 countries’ document, proposed by the leaders of Great Britain, France, and Germany, is based on the American plan but includes significant revisions. Rubio further stated that he believes Trump is satisfied with the negotiations.
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Rubio said he had heard nothing about an alternative plan from Europe to end the war, and well, that’s not exactly shocking, is it? Considering the situation, and the general vibe around these things, it’s pretty clear that there’s a lot of skepticism about his claims. The immediate reaction seems to be that he wouldn’t be in the know even if such a plan existed, and that’s a pretty damning indictment. The idea that his… priorities might lie elsewhere, potentially even aligning with certain interests in Moscow, is certainly floating around.
It’s almost comical how the consensus seems to be that he’s essentially disconnected from reality, or at the very least, from the actual conversations happening about ending the war. There’s a strong feeling that any statement coming from him, especially if it involves a “Trump says…” qualifier, should be taken with a mountain of salt. The focus, or the assumed focus, seems to be on Russia’s actions and the simplicity of what’s actually needed: a complete withdrawal. That’s the core of the supposed alternative plan – Russia just needs to go home.
The concept of a “plan” itself seems to be viewed with a fair bit of cynicism. Why would Europe share such sensitive information with someone they may not trust? Some suggest the plan involves simply telling Russia to “get f’d” and return the territory, and why would they involve a middleman like Rubio in that? The sentiment seems to be, Europe knows what needs to happen, and they’re not necessarily looking for input from certain individuals in the US.
The consistent theme that emerges is a lack of trust in Rubio’s objectivity and competence. The phrase “head too far up Putin’s ass” pops up more than once, which kind of says it all. There’s a widespread belief that he’s either intentionally ignorant, or simply incompetent and out of the loop. There’s a certain frustration that’s palpable, an almost exasperated tone wondering why he can’t grasp the fundamental issue: Russia needs to leave. The idea that Rubio might be waiting for instructions from Moscow further illustrates this concern.
The critiques extend beyond just his lack of information; it’s about his role in the situation, and the possible reasons for him knowing nothing about an alternative plan. There’s a feeling that he’s playing a part, perhaps intentionally. If a plan from the US had been made, even if an official one did not exist, or perhaps specifically because of the latter, he would have likely been excluded. It’s implied that he either doesn’t want to know, or that those who do know wouldn’t trust him with the information.
The very idea of a negotiation or a plan that compromises Ukrainian sovereignty is largely dismissed. The focus remains on Russia’s responsibility and the need for their withdrawal, no matter the specific form of any alternative plan. It’s clear that many people see the core issue of this war as a straightforward matter of aggression and invasion and the solution as equally straightforward.
Furthermore, there is a strong impression that anyone taking part in this situation, that is either “the ostrich chorus” or the “empty suits in this administration,” is either lying, or not capable of doing their job. Why would anyone bother to engage with Rubio on this, is what one may ask. The sentiment is that they are not keeping up with the critical information about their jobs. A failure to understand the basics of the situation appears to be a major criticism.
The simplicity of the proposed solutions is striking. “Russia get the fuck out of Ukraine!” seems to be a common response, with reparations and the return of kidnapped individuals and POWs added to the list. The alternative plan is seen not as a complex diplomatic maneuver, but as a simple call for Russia to rectify its actions. Ending the war, from this perspective, rests solely on Russia’s shoulders.
The focus then, is on the core actions and the fundamental principles, not the specific details of any alternative plan. There is an absolute lack of trust in Rubio’s ability to be objective, truthful, and to know what is actually going on. And the overall idea is that any solution must begin with Russia ceasing its aggression and withdrawing from Ukraine.