U.S. Secretary of State joins Russia’s National Day event and says America is still fully committed to the Russian people
Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement on Thursday, marking Russia Day by affirming that the United States “remains fully committed to supporting the Russian people.” His remarks emphasized a desire for “constructive engagement” with Moscow in pursuit of a lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine.
However, the tone of Rubio’s message sparked criticism on social media, with some users questioning its appropriateness in light of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. One user on X described the message as “an insult,” highlighting growing discontent among pro-Ukrainian voices online.
Despite the backlash, the statement was well received in Moscow. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed Rubio’s words, and Leonid Slutsky, the head of Russia’s international affairs parliamentary committee, called the gesture “polite.” Newsweek reached out to the U.S. State Department for further comment.
Rubio’s message has drawn wide attention across both Russian and Ukrainian media. Notably, it appears to be the first formal U.S. statement on Russia Day since 2021, prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While Rubio’s call for peace mirrors the Trump administration’s diplomatic tone, his mention of Russia’s “aspirations for a brighter future” has stirred controversy.
Russia Day, commemorated annually on June 12 since 1992, celebrates the declaration of Russia’s sovereignty following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. On this occasion, Rubio extended congratulations “on behalf of the American people,” reiterating the U.S. support for the Russian people and their vision of a better future. He further stated that the U.S. hopes for “constructive engagement” with Moscow to help bring about “a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine.”
A similar message had been issued by then-Secretary of State Antony Blinken on June 12, 2021. Blinken’s message at the time conveyed that the U.S. was “steadfastly committed to supporting the Russian people as they continue to build on the aspirations outlined in the Declaration of Russian State Sovereignty.”
Still, this year’s remarks have drawn heavy criticism, particularly among Ukrainians and their supporters. Roman Sheremeta expressed on X that the message was “an insult to the millions of Ukrainians who suffer daily from Russian aggression.”
A greeting from Marco Rubio on “russia day” — a country waging a genocidal war against Ukraine — is an insult to the millions of Ukrainians who suffer daily from russian aggression. And it’s coming from the U.S. Secretary of State.
— Roman Sheremeta 🇺🇸🇺🇦 (@rshereme) June 12, 2025
1/n pic.twitter.com/POWvCYniHc
Olena Tregbub, representing the Ukrainian anti-corruption group NAKO, added further context. She revealed that she had previously received an email from Rubio announcing that her organization’s work was being suspended because it was “not in the national interest.” She contrasted that with the congratulatory note to Russia, saying, “As a Ukrainian, I got the message loud and clear.”
Another critic, Iryna Voichuk from Kharkiv, condemned Rubio’s tone, stating, “Russia doesn’t dream of a brighter future. It kills futures. It annihilates entire towns, entire families, entire histories.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha refrained from naming the U.S. but said he found it “unpleasant” to see congratulations coming from “some countries” on Russia Day, as reported by European Pravda.
Meanwhile, Russian officials framed Rubio’s message as a diplomatic breakthrough. Peskov labeled it “positive news,” claiming it reflects the Trump administration’s willingness to resolve disputes through dialogue. Slutsky, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, added that the congratulations “shouldn’t come as a surprise” and signaled improving U.S.-Russia relations.
Rubio’s full statement read: “On behalf of the American people, I want to congratulate the Russian people on Russia Day. The United States remains committed to supporting the Russian people as they continue to build on their aspirations for a brighter future.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded: “As the minister of a country at war, I found it particularly unpleasant this morning to read the public congratulations from some countries to the Russian aggressor.”
Olena Tregbub posted: “A few months ago, I got an email from Secretary of State Marco Rubio: our work was suspended—not in the U.S. national interest. Today, another email: congratulations to Russia on its National Day. As a Ukrainian, I got the message loud and clear.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented that Rubio’s statement “shows that the current U.S. administration is in favor of solving problems through dialogue.”
Looking ahead, Rubio’s message appears aligned with the Trump administration’s broader diplomatic strategy to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin into negotiations aimed at ending the war. However, pressure on Moscow may intensify as U.S. lawmakers advance a bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russia should diplomatic progress stall.
Note to our readers: This article is based on reporting verified by Newsweek and incorporates direct quotes from public figures, official government statements, and international media sources, including European Pravda. All information has been fact-checked for accuracy and contextual relevance.
