Marco Rubio suggests Trump deserves Zelensky apology for Oval Office dust-up

Political observers the world over were stunned on Friday when a contentious back-and-forth erupted between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, with opinions on the scenario running the gamut from extreme pride to stark condemnation.

In the hours that followed, Trump administration officials emerged to offer their takes on what occurred, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio – who was present for the Oval Office dust-up – declaring that Zelensky owes Trump an apology, as the Daily Wire reports.

Hostile words exchanged

During the televised discussion among the aforementioned leaders, tensions rose to the surface, particularly when Zelensky questioned the basis of American diplomatic efforts, and Vance critiqued the Ukrainian president for displaying ingratitude and skepticism of U.S. motives in front of international media outlets.

In the wake of the harsh exchange, Zelensky was asked to leave not just the Oval Office, but the White House as well, departing D.C. without having signed the minerals agreement that had formed the basis of his visit.

Speaking later that evening on CNN, Rubio maintained that Trump's intentions are simply to bring the long and bloody conflict between Ukraine and Russia to an end, also explaining that Zelensky's approach during the meeting was indicative of a lack of respect for the United States.

“We've explained very clearly what our plan is here, which is we want to get the Russians to a negotiating table,” Rubio said. “We want to explore whether peace is possible. They understand this. They also understand that this agreement that was supposed to be singed today was supposed to be an agreement that binds America economically to Ukraine, which to me, as I've explained, and I think the president alluded to today, is a security guarantee in its own way because we're involved; it's now us, it's our interests.”

Rubio added that the Ukrainians should have understood, “Don't come here and create a scenario where you're going to start lecturing us about how diplomacy isn't going to work. President Zelensky took it in that direction, and it ended in a predictable outcome as a result. It's unfortunate,” he added, suggesting that an apology to Trump is in order.

Apology forthcoming?

Upon requesting the Ukrainian delegation to depart the White House, Trump declared that Zelensky could return when he is ready for peace, and insiders suggest that an apology for the Oval Office unpleasantness will also be expected, as the Daily Mail explains.

The Mail noted, “Mr. Trump's administration has made it clear privately it wants a public apology from Zelensky to mend relations,” but whether one is likely is something that remains far from certain.

During a Friday sit-down with Fox News' Bret Baier, Zelensky did not appear disposed to offering any sort of mea culpa, as The Hill reports, seemingly denying claims that he had been in the wrong.

“No. I respect the president, and I respect the American people and if, I don't know, I think that we have to be very open and honest and I'm not sure that we did something bad,” Zelensky said.

But, if Trump is holding out for an apology in order to get diplomatic activities back on track, the Ukrainian president may need to admit to himself -- at long last -- that as his American counterpart suggested, he really does not have many cards left to play.