Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Rubio Says Ukraine Strikes, Sanctions Are Hurting Russia’s Economy
Marco Rubio said attacks by Ukraine and economic sanctions are causing problems for Russia’s economy.
He did not say exactly how much money Russia has lost.
Ukraine is asking for more Patriot air-defence systems to protect itself.
The United States says it must keep enough weapons for its own needs before sending more abroad.
The two countries are discussing whether Ukraine could make some missile-defence systems itself.
Rubio said building the necessary factories would take several years.
The United States is also discussing possible cooperation with Ukraine on drone technology.
Rubio said John Ratcliffe’s visit to Russia was mainly a routine effort to keep communication open.
Marco Rubio said Ukrainian strikes and Western sanctions are affecting Russia’s economy.
He provided no figures or details about specific strikes causing economic damage.
The United States and Ukraine are negotiating possible licences for Ukraine to produce missile-defence systems.
Rubio said expanding production would take years and would not solve Ukraine’s immediate air-defence shortage.
Rubio described John Ratcliffe’s Russia visit as routine and intended to maintain intelligence communication channels.
- Who
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the United States, Ukraine and Russia.
- What
- Rubio discussed the economic effects of Ukrainian strikes and Western sanctions, air-defence support for Ukraine, possible defence-production cooperation and intelligence contacts with Russia.
- When
- Rubio made the comments on Wednesday local time; no calendar date was provided.
- Where
- The remarks concerned the war in Ukraine, strikes inside Russia and negotiations between the United States and Ukraine.
- Why
- Rubio said Ukrainian strikes and sanctions are affecting Russia’s economy, while the United States is addressing Ukraine’s air-defence needs and maintaining communication channels with Russia.
Ukraine’s Immediate Defence Needs
U.S. Capacity and Timing Constraints
Access to air-defence systems
Ukraine’s Immediate Defence Needs
Ukraine is continuing to request more Patriot systems and interceptors to address its air-defence needs.
U.S. Capacity and Timing Constraints
The United States says it must preserve sufficient stockpiles for its own defence before providing additional weapons.
Domestic missile-defence production
Ukraine’s Immediate Defence Needs
Licensing could eventually allow Ukraine to produce sophisticated missile-defence systems itself.
U.S. Capacity and Timing Constraints
Rubio said even an approved licence would not quickly resolve the shortage because factories would take multiple years to build.
- Speaker
- Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State
- Economic pressure
- Rubio said Ukrainian strikes combined with Western sanctions are affecting Russia’s economy.
- Air-defence request
- Ukraine continues to seek more Patriot air-defence systems and interceptors.
- U.S. limitation
- The United States says its own minimum defence-stockpile requirements must be met first.
- Production talks
- The United States and Ukraine are negotiating possible licences for Ukraine to manufacture missile-defence systems.
- Production timeline
- Rubio said building factories for sophisticated weapons would take multiple years.
- Russia communication
- Rubio described John Ratcliffe’s visit to Russia as largely routine and linked to intelligence-to-intelligence communication.