Rubio and Witkoff Head to France for Ukraine Talks
The U.S. lowers Ukraine war aid estimate to $100B and seeks profit-sharing from future Ukrainian investments, as talks continue on a strategic partnership fund controlled by Washington.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for ending the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, are expected to travel to Paris later this week, according to two people familiar with the preparations for the trip. Witkoff is set to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron, while Rubio will speak with his French counterpart, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Politico has reported.
Ukraine, Iran and Trade Relations
Rubio will be in Paris this week before heading to Africa, according to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters. The official familiar with the preparations for the trip said the two sides will discuss Ukraine, Iran and trade relations in the wake of Trump’s tariff threats.
Macron’s meeting with Witkoff came just days after the ambassador met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a possible ceasefire in Ukraine after Russian-U.S. talks have stalled in recent weeks. The meeting in Moscow was “another step in the ceasefire negotiation process,” a White House spokesman said, despite Trump’s “disappointment.”
French president leads European effort
The French president is leading European efforts to provide Kiev with security guarantees, including the deployment of a so-called assurance force in Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. The trip marks the first time a senior American has visited France since U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance attended an artificial intelligence summit in February. Tariffs are expected to top the agenda. Last week, Macron said Trump’s move to suspend his toughest tariffs for 90 days was creating only a “fragile” pause in tensions.
