PARIS (AP) — Paris is currently hosting crucial discussions regarding Ukraine and its security landscape. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and key Ukrainian officials, are actively participating in talks aimed at advancing diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Rubio arrived in Paris on Thursday morning, engaging in discussions with European counterparts, as part of the U.S. initiative to halt the Russia-Ukraine war and alleviate the rampant bloodshed, as noted by State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce. The approach aligns with President Trump’s broader objective of seeking peace in the region amidst rising tensions and conflicts.
The meetings come in light of escalating concerns surrounding Trump’s potential rapprochement with Russia and his efforts to mediate a ceasefire in Ukraine. His administration’s policies, including tariffs on essential allies and contentious rhetoric regarding NATO, have raised questions about the U.S. commitment to its traditional alliances and its stance on global conflicts.
Ukrainian officials, including presidential adviser Andrii Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, arrived in Paris concurrently to partake in these extensive dialogues. Yermak characterized the meetings as “a series of bilateral and multilateral discussions” with coalition representatives capable of ensuring future security guarantees for Ukraine, emphasizing the significance of U.S. involvement in these deliberations.
Approximately 30 nations, spearheaded by the UK and France, are contemplating the formation of a coalition to oversee any future peace agreement with Russia. The operational success of this coalition heavily relies on U.S. military support, specifically airpower, although the Trump administration has yet to publicly declare its intentions regarding military assistance.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy is also engaged in the talks, accompanied by officials from the German government who play critical roles in foreign policy and political direction. Meanwhile, Macron intends to hold distinctive meetings with Rubio and Witkoff, discussing not only the nuances of U.S. tariff policies but also aiming to promote de-escalation in ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
On the ground in Ukraine, a severe drone strike occurred in Dnipro on Wednesday night, tragically resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including a child. This incident highlights the intensifying military activities as Ukrainian government officials and analysts have reported that Russian forces are gearing up for a renewed offensive to pressurize Kyiv and bolster Moscow’s negotiating leverage heading into potential ceasefire discussions.
Rubio and Witkoff have been pivotal in driving U.S. initiatives towards peace since the initiation of hostilities more than three years ago. Several rounds of negotiations have taken place in Saudi Arabia, showcasing ongoing efforts to address the conflict's complexities. Just last week, Witkoff engaged in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, underlining a continuous search for resolution amidst heightened tensions.
Despite ongoing efforts, Moscow has staunchly rejected a comprehensive ceasefire endorsed by Ukraine, stipulating that any agreements are contingent upon halting Ukraine’s mobilization efforts and the cessation of Western arms shipments—demands firmly rebuffed by Ukrainian leadership.
