Rubio's Andrews briefing Security and European travel

Oct 5

At Joint Base Andrews on October 5, Marco Rubio answers reporters before European travel. Asked about American bombers and the British base, he describes routine resource reallocations, rotations, exercises and crew changes, says he would not directly tie the aircraft move to the previous week's threat, expresses confidence in base security and praises British cooperation in the investigation. On the planned Iceland, Portugal and Greece visits, Rubio cites NATO membership and allied relationships. He says the Iceland stop followed conversations with its leaders and foreign minister earlier in the year, acknowledges a reporter's reminder that the last secretary-of-state visit was in 2021, and highlights U.S. military presence and economic ties with Greece. These are prospective meetings, not reported completed talks. Asked about a suspected plague case in Russia, Rubio says the information provided by Russia appears to involve an infected laboratory worker and concern about possible internal spread. He discusses quarantines, limited U.S.–Russia travel and the possibility of rapid spread, says the United States is monitoring closely, and stresses that he sees a reason for attention rather than alarm. He supplies no confirmed diagnosis, independent laboratory finding or death account. Asked about Saudi-backed Yemeni counterstrikes and U.S. aid or coordination, he says Washington intends to honor its defense and security agreement with Saudi Arabia but declines details. He describes the operation as an expected response to Houthi territorial gains near the strait, supports Saudi self-defense after Houthi attacks and says Yemeni forces will try to regain territory. He announces no specific U.S. strike, aid delivery or operational coordination. Asked about the Friday Camp David meeting, Rubio describes a less distracting setting for global, long-term strategic planning through the National Security Council, ranging from months to years. He says similar meetings occurred before, qualifies the word routine, and discloses no particular decision or regional agenda. On Brazil, he says the election is going to a second round, which he describes as expected, without naming candidates or giving numerical totals. Finally, responding to Russia's call for diplomats to leave Kyiv, he says such warnings have recurred for months, the United States retains an embassy presence, assesses mission safety daily and will change posture if needed, but has not done so there. This is the complete published availability; the unidentified reporters remain unattributed.

Responding to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on October 5, Rubio says the United States intends to honor its defense and security agreement with Saudi Arabia while declining details about aid or coordination. He describes Saudi-backed Yemeni counterstrikes as an expected response to Houthi territorial gains near the strait, says Saudi Arabia has a right to defend itself after Houthi attacks, and says Yemeni forces will seek to regain lost territory. He announces no specific U.S. operation, weapons transfer or confirmed coordination arrangement.