At a year-end press conference lasting more than two hours, Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined US foreign policy priorities and addressed several major global conflicts. He argued that negotiations with Venezuela would be futile, saying President Nicolás Maduro cannot be trusted because he has repeatedly failed to honour past agreements.
On Ukraine, Rubio said the United States is trying to understand what both Moscow and Kyiv could accept to reach a deal, but stressed that the war is not an urgent priority for Washington. He bluntly characterised the conflict as not America’s war and noted that it is being fought on another continent.
Turning to Gaza, despite evidence to the contrary, Rubio said the United States is pressing to complete phase one of the truce so that phase two can begin. He highlighted plans to establish a Palestinian technocratic governing committee, create a foreign-led Board of Peace, and deploy an international policing force, calling these efforts an immediate and intense focus.
Despite his past reputation as a China hawk, Rubio struck a more pragmatic tone toward Beijing, emphasising that cooperation is possible and necessary alongside areas of tension. Finally, he reaffirmed the US commitment to NATO, arguing that Article Five’s collective defence remains essential to deterring any Russian military action beyond Ukraine.
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