Rubio: Russia has a ‘government of liars’

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) blasted Russian leaders Sunday morning, calling them a “government of liars.”

{mosads}”The Russians have basically violated every major treaty they’ve ever entered into. We’ve seen how they’ve basically lied. Let’s call it what it is. They are lying and this government is a government of liars, the Russian government,” Rubio said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” 

“You’re dealing with a government that lies as a matter of course and it’s very difficult to enter an understanding with them on anything when they’re willing to lie and cover things up in this way,” Rubio continued.

The Foreign Relations Committee member and potential GOP presidential candidate said Russia is “increasingly behaving like an enemy of international peace and international norms” because of its actions in Ukraine. He ruled out direct military actions against Russia at this time, though he suggested future arms support for Ukraine’s government to help strengthen it in the long term.

He also said the U.S. should be more involved in Venezuela’s ongoing internal struggles, calling for sanctions against members of the current regime. The Venezuelan government has cracked down against protests against its regime, leading to bloody conflicts throughout the country.

“We need to clearly pronounce ourselves as more than just ‘concerned’ about what’s happening in Venezuela. We need to say very clearly the United States, and its people and its government are firmly on the side of the ambitions and desires — the rightful desires — of the people in the streets, the students and young people protesting against these violations,” he said. “Beyond that, I would like to see specific U.S. sanctions against individuals in the Maduro government that are systematically participating in the violation of human rights and anti-democratic actions. I think those two steps would go a long way in that regard.”