Rubio congratulates Russian people on Russia Day, calls for peace with Ukraine

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has extended his congratulations to the Russian people on the occasion of Russia Day, while calling for renewed efforts toward lasting peace with Ukraine.

“On behalf of the American people, I want to congratulate the Russian people on Russia Day,” Rubio said in a statement on Thursday. He emphasised that the United States “remains committed to supporting the Russian people as they continue to build on their aspirations for a brighter future”.

Rubio also reaffirmed America’s desire for “constructive engagement with the Russian Federation” and underscored the importance of working toward a “durable peace” between Russia and Ukraine. “It is our hope that peace will foster more mutually beneficial relations between our countries,” he added .

Russia Day, held on 12 June, commemorates the 1990 declaration of state sovereignty by the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.