A thrill records of “Today with George Stephanopoulos” broadcasting on Sunday, August 17, 2025 on ABC Information is listed below. This duplicate might not remain in its last type, might be upgraded and might consist of small transcription mistakes. For previous program records, go to the “Today” records archive.
MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC “TODAY” CO-ANCHOR: And I’m signed up with currently by Assistant of State Marco Rubio. Greetings, Mr. Assistant. Many thanks for joining us today. Head of state Trump has actually promoted this top as a big success. Yet the head of state entering into that stated he desired a ceasefire, he desired the murder quit and there would certainly be repercussions. Allow’s– allow’s take an additional pay attention to what he stated prior to that top.
[PLAY VIDEO]
PRESS REPORTER: Will certainly Russia deal with any type of repercussions if Vladimir Putin does not consent to quit the battle after your conference on Friday?PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Yes, they will.REPORTER: What will certainly the repercussions be– TRUMP: Yeah, there will certainly be repercussions–. PRESS REPORTER: Permissions? Tariffs?TRUMP: There will certainly be– I do not need to state. There will certainly be really serious consequences.TRUMP: I will not more than happy if I leave without some type of a ceasefire.
[END VIDEO]
RADDATZ: So, Mr. Assistant, the combating hasn’t quit, the murder hasn’t quit and there is no stop fire. What transformed Head of state Trump’s mind?
ASSISTANT MARCO RUBIO: Well, I do not believe his mind has actually transformed in all. I believe eventually, if this entire initiative does not exercise, after that there is mosting likely to need to be extra repercussions to Russia. Yet we’re attempting to prevent that by getting to a tranquility contract. Which’s not mosting likely to be very easy. It’s mosting likely to take a great deal of job. I believe there were points that were determined in those talks, that we simply had a pair days ago that made some development in some instructions. Currently, undoubtedly, in order for us to obtain a tranquility contract, Ukraine needs to belong of it. They need to be consisted of. They need to be entailed. That’s why the head of state called him on the phone promptly after we hopped on the plane within an hour. He talked with him for extended periods of time. That’s why Head of state Zelensky will certainly be taking a trip to Washington tomorrow together with a number of European leaders also, to remain to work with this. We made development in the feeling that we determined prospective locations of contract, however there stays some large locations of dispute. So we’re still a lengthy methods off. I indicate, we’re not at the precipice of a tranquility contract. We’re not beside one. Yet I do believe development was made and– in the direction of one and however once more–.
RADDATZ: Yet Assistant Rubio, we do not understand what any one of that development is. And the head of state entered into that–.
RUBIO: Yeah, and you’re not mosting likely to.
RADDATZ:– conference– fine. The head of state entered into that conference stating he desired a ceasefire and there would certainly be repercussions if that– if they really did not settle on a ceasefire because conference and they really did not consent to a ceasefire. So where are the repercussions?
RUBIO: That’s– that, that’s not the goal of this. I indicate, look, first off, you’re not mosting likely to–.
RADDATZ: The head of state that was the goal.
[CROSSTALK]
RUBIO: Yeah, however you’re not mosting likely to get to a ceasefire or a tranquility contract in a conference in which just one side is stood for. That’s why it is very important to bring both leaders with each other which’s the objective below. The head of state stated what he wishes to see eventually is we make adequate development, so both leaders, Zelenskyy and Putin, can satisfy someplace and complete this. The only method to settle a tranquility contract is you need to have both sides consent to it, and both sides of it entailed. The amount of times have we spoken with the Ukrainians and from others, there can– there is absolutely nothing concerning Ukraine without Ukraine. Well, Ukraine had not been at the conference. Yet this was an extremely essential conference.
Currently, eventually, if there isn’t a tranquility contract, if there isn’t an end of this battle, the head of state’s been clear, there are mosting likely to be repercussions. Yet we’re attempting to prevent that. And the method we’re attempting to prevent those repercussions is with an also much better repercussion, which is tranquility, completion of hostilities. That’s the goal. That’s the objective below. And the head of state, he should have a great deal of credit scores. This is not a– consider when he claims this, it holds true. The USA is not up in arms. This is not our battle. Eventually, what day-to-day live in America resembles will certainly be not materially transformed somehow concerning what occurs in Ukraine. We have actually devoted energy and time to this, due to the fact that this head of state has actually made it a top priority of his management to advertise tranquility and end or stop battles. He’s made that a top priority, and I believe he should have a great deal of credit scores for the quantity of time and power that we have actually purchased something similar to this. And he’s the just one worldwide that might do it. Okay?
None of these various other leaders in Europe might obtain Putin to a conference to speak seriously concerning any one of this. So this is mosting likely to be challenging. It’s been taking place for 3 and a fifty percent years. You have 2 really established sides, and we’re mosting likely to need to remain to function and try it. I believe we made some actual development. You discussed not recognizing what was gone over. These tranquility offers, these tranquility arrangements and arrangements, they do not function when they’re performed in the media, either with leakages or with lies. And generally they’re both the very same point. Existing leakages. Okay? They do not function if you do it in this way and they do not function if you head out and state hostile and rough features of one side or the various other, due to the fact that after that they simply leave.
RADDATZ: Can you call any type of giving ins that Vladimir Putin made throughout this conference? Has he– has any type of– have any type of–
RUBIO: I would not call them on your program.
RADDATZ:– Have any type of giving ins been asked?
RUBIO: I would not call them on your program. Why would certainly I do that?–
RADDATZ: Where is the stress?
RUBIO:– Well, certainly. Since you can not have a tranquility contract, no– you can not have a tranquility contract unless both sides provide and obtain. You can not have a tranquility contract unless both sides make giving ins. That’s a reality. That holds true in basically any type of settlement. Otherwise, it’s simply called abandonment. And neither side is mosting likely to give up. So both sides are mosting likely to need to make giving ins. So certainly giving ins were asked, however what energy would certainly there be of me taking place a program and inform you, ‘We have actually wagged our finger at Putin and informed him, you should do this, and you should do that.’ It’s gon na make– it’s just mosting likely to make it more difficult and much less most likely that they’re mosting likely to consent to these points.
So these arrangements, as high as every person would certainly enjoy it to be a real-time pay per sight occasion, these conversations just function best when they are performed independently in discuss– major arrangements in which individuals that need to go back and react to constituencies, due to the fact that also tyrannical federal governments have constituencies they need to react to, individuals need to go back and protect these arrangements that they make therefore– and determine a means to clarify them to individuals. So we require to produce area for giving ins to be made. Yet certainly, giving ins were asked.
RADDATZ: Do you– do you– does the head of state support quiting area that Ukraine currently manages, particularly in the Donetsk area? Resources are informing us that’s what was asked.
RUBIO: Well, first off, I indicate, Putin has actually provided duplicated speeches currently for 2 and a fifty percent years, there’s one they constantly point out, which discusses taking the majority of Ukraine and his sight of background and exactly how– so forth and more. The 2nd point, the head of state– So we understand what their side is requiring, and we undoubtedly understand that Ukrainians, are not in contract with any one of that. The 2nd factor I would certainly make is the head of state has actually stated repetitively when it concerns regions and territorial insurance claims, that’s eventually something Ukraine will certainly need to make a decision. It’s their area. It’s their nation. Eventually, what they agree to deal with is what they’ll need to select. Perhaps the response? They’re not happy to deal with any one of this. We do not understand. Yet that’s what we require to check out.
In the meanwhile, the one point we do understand that Ukraine has actually stated repetitively and openly discussed is safety and security assurances. They require to be able to become part of safety and security assurances that make sure that this is never ever mosting likely to take place once more, that they’re not going to obtain re-invaded in 2 and a fifty percent or 3 years or 4 years or whenever it might be. They do not wish to be back below once more. They wish to have the ability to take place to restore their nation and live their lives. That’s an extremely sensible demand. That’s something we’re servicing. Which’s something the Russian side needs to comprehend, undoubtedly, is that as a sovereign nation, Ukraine has a right, like every sovereign nation, to become part of safety and security partnerships and arrangements with various other nations. So these are several of things that we’ll be reviewing.
RADDATZ: Movie Critics of Head of state Trump will certainly state the splendor and conditions– splendor and scenario, the red rug, the cozy handshake, that Head of state Trump merely shed that, that Putin got there simply by getting on the globe phase and strolling down a red rug with the head of state. Your response to that?
RUBIO: Well, I indicate, movie critics of Head of state Trump are constantly mosting likely to locate something to slam. You do not take notice of it any longer. Yet I will certainly inform you this: Putin is currently on the globe phase. He’s currently on the globe phase. The man’s performing a complete range battle in Ukraine. He’s currently on the globe phase. He has the globe’s biggest tactical nuclear toolbox worldwide, and the 2nd biggest calculated nuclear toolbox worldwide. He’s currently on the globe phase. When I listen to individuals state that, ‘oh, it boosts him.’ Well, all we do is discuss Putin constantly. All the media has actually done is discuss Putin constantly for the last 4 or 5 years. That does not indicate he’s best concerning the battle. That does not indicate he’s warranted concerning the battle. Place all that apart. It indicates you’re not mosting likely to have a tranquility contract in between Russia and Ukraine, you’re not mosting likely to finish a battle in between Russia and Ukraine without taking care of Putin. That’s not– that’s simply good sense. I should not also need to state it. So individuals can state whatever they desire.
Eventually, at the end of the day, we need to obtain the Russian side to consent to points that they do not wish to consent to if we’re mosting likely to have tranquility. otherwise, they’ll simply be a battle, they’ll maintain eliminating each various other, and life will certainly take place in America and in the remainder of the globe, however except Ukraine. So the head of state has actually spent a great deal of time in attempting to bring an end to this battle. He should have credit scores for doing that. He obtains objection for doing that. He might’ve simply allow this battle take place. The head of state might have simply stated, ‘This is Biden’s battle. It began under him. We’ll do what we can for Ukraine, however we’re mosting likely to concentrate on various other points.’ He might have conveniently stated that, he’s the only leader worldwide that can obtain Putin to a conference to discuss major points.
RADDATZ: Simply– simply a last factor below. So now, although he required assents, no assents, no ceasefire and no target dates.
RUBIO: Well, however eventually– first off, concerning target dates. The target date is immediately. We desire this battle to finish immediately. I indicate, that’s why we’re servicing it. In regards to assents, appearance, at the end of the day, if we can not get to a tranquility contract below and this battle proceeds etc, after that I expect you’ll see the head of state take additional activity. He’s currently made that clear. The trouble is this– allow’s allow’s utilize our heads below– the trouble is this: the min you impose extra assents, solid extra assents, the chatting quits. Speaking quits. And then, the battle simply proceeds. You have actually possibly simply included 6, 8, 9, 12 even more months to the battle, otherwise longer. Even more individuals dead, even more individuals eliminated, even more individuals incapacitated, much more households damaged. Okay? That’s what occurs if you do that.
Currently, we might wind up going to a factor where we need to do that, where there is nothing else option, which’s completion. Incidentally, there currently are assents on Russia. The Head of state hasn’t raised any type of assents on Russia. They’re currently dealing with assents, serious assents, and they’re dealing with ones from the Europeans also. So we might quite possibly get to a factor where every person ends, ‘no tranquility is mosting likely to take place below, we’re mosting likely to need to do even more assents.’ Yet when you do that, you are essentially ignoring any type of possibility of a worked out negotiation below, which is what every person is asking us to do.
Everybody, consisting of the Ukrainians and all the nations of Europe, are asking the USA to be involved, involve Putin and attempt to obtain him to consent to a tranquility contract. They’re all asking us to do that. They all are. And the min you impose brand-new assents, those talks possibly pick up the near future. Which indicates the battle proceeds for the near future. I really hope that does not take place. We might quite possibly end up there, however we’re mosting likely to attempt to do whatever to stop it due to the fact that we wish to get to a tranquility contract.
RADDATZ: OK, many thanks significantly, Assistant Rubio. We wish you– that occurs.
RUBIO: Yep. Thanks.
MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC “TODAY” CO-ANCHOR: I’m signed up with currently by Legislator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, that is collaborating with D.C. authorities to test the Trump management’s requisition.
Greetings to you, Legislator.
Allow’s return to the extra National Guard that is being sent out in below, 750 from Republican-led states. What’s your response to that?
SEN. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN, (D) MARYLAND: Well, Martha, every one of this is an overall misuse of power. It’s a made emergency situation. If you wished to see an emergency situation in Washington, D.C., that was back on January 6, 2021, which Head of state Trump did not point to release the National Guard promptly.
Right here, undoubtedly D.C. can do even more to lower terrible criminal offense, as we can throughout the nation. Yet as you explained, criminal offense in D.C. is a 30-year reduced and a down trajectory. So, this is all a chance for Donald Trump to play tyrant in Washington, D.C.
Rather, he needs to be launching, together with your home Republicans, the $1 billion– $1 billion in cash that comes from individuals of D.C. that they’re holding that D.C. might make use of to employ even more authorities.
RADDATZ: Well– well, allow’s discuss that. You call it– you call it this power grab that he’s– a step of a tyrant. Yet the method the regulation is created, it appears he has the lawful authority. And Mayor Bowser acknowledged that. So, what is the misuse of power below?
VAN HOLLEN: The misuse of power is asserting that this is an emergency situation. And everyone that is enjoying what occurs recognizes that this is not an emergency situation in Washington, D.C. So, he is utilizing this technological arrangement in the regulation, however I would certainly suggest plainly he’s abusing it to produce this– this emergency situation. And currently he has 1 month in which he can act. Back then, certainly, in order to remain to act, he requires Congress to expand it.
RADDATZ: The mayor recommended today that the rise of– of government authorities might be helpful in dealing with criminal offense. And there is a criminal offense trouble in D.C. All of us live below. I desire you to– I wish to play you something that D.C.’s authorities principal, Pamela Smith stated today.
( BEGIN VIDEO)
PAMELA SMITH, WASHINGTON, D.C. COPS PRIMARY: You’re speaking about 500 extra employees in the Area of Columbia. And as you understand, we have actually discussed the truth that we’re down in numbers with our law enforcement officer. Therefore, this boosted visibility plainly is mosting likely to affect us in a favorable method.
( END VIDEO)
RADDATZ: So, do you see anything favorable concerning this?
VAN HOLLEN: Well, I comprehend the placement the authorities principal remains in. The very best method to aid the authorities principal in Washington, D.C., is for Head Of State Trump and Republicans in Congress to provide the $1 billion in cash that comes from them to ensure that they can employ those authorities, instead of generating these government representatives.
I would certainly additionally state, Martha, I would certainly believe that taxpayers around the nation, government taxpayers, need to ask themselves exactly how it is that we are making use of sources, nationwide sources, the FBI, the DEA, individuals that are intended to be out and around safeguarding the nation from terrible offenders, and currently they’re investing their time removing outdoors tents of homeless individuals in the Area of Columbia. I would certainly believe individuals around the nation would certainly stress over that diversion of sources.
RADDATZ: And currently apparently the National Guard might be equipped.
VAN HOLLEN: Well, that’s really unpleasant due to the fact that, as you understand, the National Guard, first off, is not intended to take part in any type of regional police task. We have the Posse Comitatus Act that restricts them from participating in regional police. Therefore, I’m unsure what it is that they require to do where they require to be equipped.
RADDATZ: The– the head of state claims he’s mosting likely to preserve control of D.C. authorities past this 30-day restriction, whatever Congress does. So, after that what do you do?
VAN HOLLEN: Well, that, plainly, is an offense of the law. Therefore, we’ll wind up right back in court. Naturally, the head of state additionally believed he had the capacity to basically obtain the authorities principal and have his individuals are available in and run the authorities division. A government court currently stated that that was not accredited. And similarly, his capacity to expand it past 1 month is not accredited. Therefore, they’re mosting likely to need to pass this law in the– this expansion in the Congress. And I do not believe that that’s mosting likely to pass.
RADDATZ: I wish to relocate to the top, if you will. You get on the Foreign Relations Board. You enjoyed that top, I make certain. What– what is your response to what took place?
VAN HOLLEN: Well, Martha, there’s no sugar finish this. Donald Trump, once more, obtained played by Vladimir Putin. Vladimir Putin obtained the red rug therapy on American dirt. Yet we obtained no ceasefire, no impending conference in between Putin and Zelenskyy. All the risk and assents that, you understand, Donald Trump discussed evidently have actually been reserved. Donald Trump obtained flattered by Vladimir Putin. Yet when it concerns Ukraine under European allies, this was a set-back.
I do think that Congress currently, the Us senate specifically, ought to move on on bipartisan regulations that has more than 60 legislators as co-sponsors that would certainly enforce assents on Russia and Vladimir Putin.
RADDATZ: And we’ll see whether that occurs. Yet simply really promptly, aren’t individual connections essential?
VAN HOLLEN: Personal connections are very important. And I have no argument to individuals chatting. Yet you wish to have a clear purpose in mind. Plainly, Vladimir Putin had a clear purpose in mind. And he involved Alaska and quit absolutely nothing, whereas, you understand, Donald Trump stated he had actually intended to do, you understand, a ceasefire, he had actually intended to fly in Zelenskyy perhaps even while Vladimir Putin existed. None of that took place.
And on the other hand, they have actually taken the stress off the assents. I indicate, once more, Donald Trump was intended to enforce assents on Russia weeks back currently, and keeping in mind. So, this was a– a triumph for Vladimir Putin.
RADDATZ: OK, many thanks significantly, Legislator, for joining us today. We value it.
Up following, Head of state Trump is providing the chilly shoulder to our next-door neighbors to the north in Canada. ABC’s Steve Osunsami reports on the results from the head of state’s profession battle, when we return.
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