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By Brendan Cole
Senior Reporter
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the U.S. "remains committed to supporting the Russian people" as the country marked Russia Day.
The statement issued Thursday said that the U.S. wants "constructive engagement" with Moscow to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine.
But some social media users have questioned the tone of Rubio's message to a country which has invaded Ukraine, with one X user describing it as "an insult."
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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed Rubio's message while the head of Russia's international affairs parliamentary committee, Leonid Slutsky, described it as a "polite gesture."
Newsweek has contacted the U.S. State Department for comment.
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Why It Matters
Rubio's comments were widely reported by Russian and Ukrainian media. It appears to be the first time the U.S. has issued a statement about Russia Day since 2021, the year before the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion.
Some X users have taken exception to the tone of the message which, while calling for peace as the Trump administration pursues negotiations, referred to Russia's "aspirations for a brighter future."
What To Know
Russia Day is a public holiday that has been celebrated on June 12 annually since 1992 to mark the approval of Russia's sovereignty following the break up of the Soviet Union.
To mark the occasion, Rubio issued a statement congratulating the Russian people "on behalf of the American people" adding the U.S. is "committed to supporting the Russian people as they continue to build on their aspirations for a brighter future."
Rubio also said that the U.S. wants "constructive engagement" with Moscow to bring about "a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine."
On the same date in 2021, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a similar message of congratulations which said 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."
But pro-Ukrainian social media users questioned the appropriateness of Rubio's message on Thursday to the country which staged a full-scale invasion over three years ago and continues to bomb civilian infrastructure.
Roman Sheremeta posted on X that Rubio issued a greeting that was "an insult to the millions of Ukrainians who suffer daily from Russian aggression.
Olena Tregbub from the Ukrainian anti-corruption commission NAKO posted on X that Rubio had informed her the group's work had been suspended because it was "not in the national interest".
Iryna Voichuk, from Kharkiv disparaged Rubio's message saying that Russia "doesn't dream of a brighter future. It kills futures. It annihilates entire towns, entire families, entire histories."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he found it "unpleasant" to read the congratulations from "some countries" on Russia Day, without mentioning the U.S., according to European Pravda.
However, Peskov called Rubio's message "positive news," according to state media.
Slutsky, who is leader of the Liberal Democratic Party that is part of the Russian opposition, said Thursday that Rubio's "congratulations shouldn't come as a surprise" and showed how ties between the countries were being restored.
What People Are Saying
Secretary of State Marco Rubio: "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: "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, Ukrainian X user: "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 said Rubio's statement, "shows that the current U.S. administration is in favor of solving problems through dialogue."
What Happens Next
Rubio's message signaled the Trump administration's continuing push to get Vladimir Putin to the table for negotiations to end the war. Meanwhile, Moscow could face increased pressure from a bipartisan sanctions bill which U.S. lawmakers are seeking to impose on Russia if no progress is made.
Update 06/12/25, 9:44 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with further information and a new headline.
Update 06/12/25, 11:02 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional comments.
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