Did Marco Rubio reveal Zelensky's secret location?
The Florida Senator has come under fire for sharing pictures of the Ukrainian President while he was speaking to Congress, after being told not to.
A Saturday morning call between Ukrainian President Zelesnkyy (learn more about his surname) and US lawmaker was supposed to garner further support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. However, making headlines are the actions of two senators which could endanger the life of Zelenskyy.
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Marco Rubio under fire for Zelenskyy screenshots
After being told before the meeting that sharing images of the Ukrainian president during the meeting could put his life at risk, Republican Senators Steve Daines and Marco Rubio posted screenshots to Twitter during the meeting. More than 280 Congressmen and women were in attendance to the Zoom call.
Pres. Zelenskyy is currently addressing U.S. senators on a Zoom call this morning. Sens. Rubio and Daines just tweeted screenshots. More to come. pic.twitter.com/pPeZdOMhCf
— The Recount (@therecount) March 5, 2022
It has been reported that President Zelenskyy has dodged three assassination attempts since the beginning of the war, and his location is a closely guarded secret. He discussed how he thinks the US can help Ukraine, as well as detailing atrocities committed by the invading Russians.
That Marco Rubio is the Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence should be a cause for concern considering the request from Ukraine and the danger their president is under in an active war zone.
The Ukrainian Ambassador very intentionally asked each of us on the zoom to NOT share anything on social media during the meeting to protect the security of President Zelenskyy. Appalling and reckless ignorance by two US Senators. https://t.co/geolhKxbLp
— Rep. Dean Phillips 🇺🇸 (@RepDeanPhillips) March 5, 2022
Daines and Rubio's tweets were met with scorn by fellow lawmakers and other observers on social media. Here is a selection of the reactions on Capitol Hill and beyond to the reckless move from the two.
The lack of discipline in Congress is truly astounding.
— Rep. Jason Crow (@RepJasonCrow) March 5, 2022
If an embattled wartime leader asks you to keep quiet about a meeting, you better keep quiet about the meeting.
I’m not saying a damn thing. Lives are at stake.
Maybe Rubio and Daines honestly, truly goofed up and didn’t mean to compromise Zelenskyy’s safety, but even in that case, at bare minimum, they clearly can’t handle the responsibility of having access to classified intel, and thus, they should no longer have that access.
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️⚧️🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) March 5, 2022
Marco Rubio and Steve Daines are both trying to get Zelensky assassinated.
— David Leavitt 🔜 PAX EAST (@David_Leavitt) March 5, 2022
They should be removed from office and put in jail for the rest of their miserable fucking lives.#StandWithUkraine️ #StopPutinNOW
Given what Marco Rubio did today it is probably worth reminding everyone there is an incredible Democrat in @ValDemings running against him this year. Please spread the word. pic.twitter.com/4v1uvTYqgF
— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) March 5, 2022
Marco Rubio is a threat to global security. He has no place in the Senate.
— Adam Gentle for Florida (@adammgentle) March 5, 2022
Prior to this call the Ukrainian ambassador specifically asked Senators not to tweet anything related to it for security purposes. But I guess that’s not as important as Rubio making himself feel like a big important boy. This man sits on the intelligence committee. What a joke. https://t.co/tKtAvBrqbI
— Gary Whitta (@garywhitta) March 5, 2022