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Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, defended tweeting an image from an online meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy despite complaints from the meeting's participants that he'd been told not for security purposes.
Rubio claimed that he tweeted the photo before attendees were instructed by the Ukrainian ambassador not to share any information from the meeting, insisting that his decision did not pose a "security risk."
You can hear what he said in the video below.
Speaking in an interview with ABC News television host George Stephanopoulos, Rubio said:
“There were over 300 people on this call. The details of the call were emailed to a bunch of people. And it was a nondescript picture unlike any of the others ― just like the other ones you’ve seen on the air. So there was no security risk there.”
Rubio later suggested that his critics are angling for media attention, saying that there are always "a couple people who want their name in an article somewhere."
Zelenskyy, whose leadership has captivated the international community–to say nothing of the general public–in the days since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces to invade Ukraine, has been working from bunkers for his own safety.
Ukraine's allies have openly discussed securing a line of succession in Ukraine in the event that Zelenskyy is captured or killed by Russian forces. The Ukrainian constitution is unclear on the matter and Zelenskyy has made clear that he does not want to be evacuated, preferring to stay and maintain his countrymen's morale.
Given these facts, Rubio has faced scathing criticism for potentially jeopardizing Zelenskyy's safety.
So Rubio tweeted a screenshot when he wasn\u2019t supposed to, and Rick Scott had to be told by President Zelensky to mute himself?\n\nHey Florida, I think we can all agree that it\u2019s high time y\u2019all get some new Senators.— Jo \ud83c\udf3b (@Jo \ud83c\udf3b) 1646525203
Marco Rubio decided that the best way to get sane Americans to stop accusing him and the GOP of being in bed with Vladimir Putin is to share a screenshot of Zelensky during a Zoom after being explicitly told not to do it.— Jason Overstreet (@Jason Overstreet) 1646512587
What has Marco Rubio done to help Ukraine?\n\n- Received $1.5M in campaign donations from a Russian Oligarch-Linked Firm.\n- Tweeted a picture of President Zelensky after he was told doing so could endanger Zelensky's life.\n\nGreat job, Senator!— Jack Cocchiarella (@Jack Cocchiarella) 1646518727
Get out and vote or else Marco Rubio, the guy who compromised Zelensky's safety today will be the chair of the Senate intelligence Committee if Republicans take the Senate.— Covie (@Covie) 1646511457
There have been three failed assassination attempts on President Zelensky since the start of the Russian invasion. \n\nRemove Marco Rubio as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Intel Committee for tweeting an image of Zelensky during a Zoom call and for taking $1.5m in rubles.— Outspoken\u2122\ufe0f (@Outspoken\u2122\ufe0f) 1646625393
Marco Rubio bragged about talking to Zelensky rather than caring about his safety. So reckless \u2014 and so pathetic to watch him try to get on the right side after kissing Trump\u2019s ass the last 6 years.— Tristan Snell (@Tristan Snell) 1646501519
Mitch McConnell needs to show who\u2019s in charge of the Senate Republicans. \n\nHe should strip Marco Rubio of his position as Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence \u2014 for failing to respect the sensitive nature of the intel on Zelensky\u2019s location.— Tristan Snell (@Tristan Snell) 1646530995
not surprised the wholly irresponsible and juvenile Rubio would violate a necessary safety precaution for Zelensky. He should be barred from future calls.https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/05/russia-ukraine-war-news-live-updates/#link-N6TWN4ZF7NGPRBDA6POM6A5CCAno\u00a0\u2026— Jennifer 'I stand with Ukraine' Rubin \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Jennifer 'I stand with Ukraine' Rubin \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1646510248
Why would little Marco Rubio share screenshots of a Zoom call with President Zelensky after being explicitly told not to? I can think of 1.5 million reasons why...pic.twitter.com/VtAEI86cBp— Devin Nunes' Cattle Dog (re-homed) (@Devin Nunes' Cattle Dog (re-homed)) 1646539992
Rubio isn't the only Republican to break protocol in regard to Zelenskyy's safety.
Steve Daines, a Senator who represents Montana, has also faced criticism for posting a picture of Zelenskyy to social media while the call, which involved more than 300 lawmakers and their staff, was in progress.
Daines has not removed his tweets and hit back at critics in a statement saying that he shared the photo "before it was requested not to and well into the call" and insisted that "it had no identifying information."