At the G7 ministers' meeting, the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio engaged in a heated verbal exchange regarding the war in Ukraine and the U.S. relationship with Russia, LETA reports, citing UNIAN and Axios.
Discussing the situation in Ukraine, Kallas criticized the U.S. for not increasing pressure on Moscow. She also reminded Rubio that a year ago at the same forum he stated: if Russia obstructs U.S. efforts to end the war, Washington's patience will run out and it will take additional steps against the Kremlin.
"A year has passed, but Russia has not made any progress. When will your patience run out?" Kallas asked.
According to sources, Rubio was noticeably irritated and reacted very sharply.
"We are doing everything we can to end the war. If you think you can do it better — please. We will step aside," he said, raising his voice.
He also added that the U.S. is trying to negotiate with both sides but is only helping one side — Ukraine — with arms supplies and intelligence.
Sources said that after this heated exchange, several European ministers present in the room intervened, stating that they still want the U.S. to continue diplomatic efforts to end the war.
The U.S. State Department called the incident an "open exchange of views." For his part, in a conversation with reporters after the G7 meeting, Rubio denied any tension.
"At these meetings, words of gratitude to America for our role and for the mediating mission we have tried to perform in this war between Russia and Ukraine are often heard," Rubio said. "No one there is shouting, raising their voice, or saying anything negative."
