Rubio: Ukraine war could expand to include other countries

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed concern on Wednesday about the possibility that the Russia-Ukraine war could spread to other countries, through hybrid attacks, sabotage operations, or even miscalculation that could ignite a direct confrontation.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York, Rubio said, “Among our many concerns regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine is the possibility that it could expand and extend to other regions.”

He added, “It could spread elsewhere, whether through a hybrid attack, a sabotage operation, or through miscalculation—for example, if a pilot mistakenly heads in the wrong direction, and you suddenly find yourself in actual combat.”

Rubio continued, “These matters cause great concern. We are raising these concerns in multiple meetings with various countries because they are a genuine source of worry.”

Rubio’s remarks came shortly after he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in New York.