John Bolton, former National Security Advisor under President Donald Trump, recently called for Secretary of State Marco Rubio to step down following a heated exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The meeting, which took place on February 28 at the White House, focused on discussing a potential ceasefire agreement in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the U.S.’s role in providing security guarantees to Ukraine. While President Trump expressed confidence in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to a ceasefire, President Zelensky appeared skeptical, leading to a tense back-and-forth.
Bolton’s remarks reflect growing concerns over America’s foreign policy and its shifting stance toward Russia. Speaking to MSNBC, Bolton criticized Trump’s apparent pivot from supporting American allies to making overtures toward adversaries. He stated, “When someone changes direction so drastically, from supporting our allies to backing our adversaries, it’s time for them to resign.” Bolton didn’t hold back, also calling on Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz to resign, suggesting that their reputations could be tarnished if they don’t act quickly.
In the aftermath of the meeting, Trump made it clear on social media that he had lost confidence in Zelensky, writing that the Ukrainian president was “not ready for Peace.” Meanwhile, Rubio, who was visibly uncomfortable during the meeting, came under scrutiny for his body language, with many social media users pointing out his slouched posture and stone-faced expression.
In an interview following the meeting, Rubio took aim at Zelensky, accusing him of mismanaging the peace talks and wasting American time and resources. Rubio’s stance on Russia has been consistent; in 2015, he described Putin as a “gangster” leading a corrupt regime. Rubio defended Trump’s peace efforts, writing on X (formerly Twitter) that being a peacemaker should be commended, not criticized. Whether or not Rubio will heed Bolton’s resignation call remains uncertain, but the debate over U.S. foreign policy and its direction continues to escalate.