NBC Meet the Press August 17 — Sec. Marco Rubio and Sen. Chris Murphy
14 snips
Aug 17, 2025 
Joining the discussion are Marco Rubio, Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, and Chris Murphy, Democratic Senator from Connecticut. They delve into President Trump’s summit with Putin, emphasizing the challenges of negotiating peace in Ukraine. The conversation highlights the balance between sanctions and diplomacy, with a focus on security guarantees for Ukraine. They also navigate the complexities of international agreements and the impact of domestic politics on foreign policy, shedding light on the intricate web of geopolitical tensions.
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Engagement Over Isolation As A Strategy
- The Trump administration argues direct engagement with Putin offers the only realistic path to end the war in Ukraine.
- Secretary Marco Rubio says sanctions risk shutting down talks and removing leverage to secure a peace deal.
Durable Peace Requires Verifiable Terms
- Rubio emphasizes a durable peace requires enforceable, verifiable mechanisms, not just paper promises.
- He warns superficial ceasefires risk quickly collapsing and worsening the conflict long-term.
Reserve Sanctions To Preserve Talks
- Avoid immediate punitive escalation that would end diplomatic channels if talks still have potential.
- Keep sanction options in reserve so negotiators can keep interlocutors engaged toward a peace deal.