US and European Leaders Meet in Paris to Discuss Ukraine Conflict

Today, US special envoy Steve Witkoff and top diplomat Marco Rubio are in Paris for crucial discussions with European leaders regarding the war in Ukraine and potential steps towards peace.

In a significant diplomatic engagement, US officials are convening in Paris to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Special envoy Steve Witkoff and top diplomat Marco Rubio will meet with their European counterparts, including UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, in a high-level dialogue aimed at finding solutions to end the war. This marks the most notable transatlantic engagement on the crisis since February, highlighting the growing urgency of the situation.

During the meetings, Witkoff and Rubio are expected to discuss the current state of affairs with French President Emmanuel Macron and his administration. The US Secretary of State will also engage in conversations alongside Lammy and the foreign ministers of France and Germany. Additionally, European national security advisers are set to participate in the discussions.

According to the US State Department, the core focus of the meetings will center on ways to halt ongoing hostilities in Ukraine. Witkoff's recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin will also be a topic of interest. European diplomats have expressed the need for the US to exert more pressure on Russia, advocating for a stronger stance to facilitate an unconditional ceasefire. One official remarked, "We want the US to use a bit more stick," indicating a desire for a more assertive American approach in negotiations.

As the war continues to unfold, these discussions reflect an important step toward potential solutions and greater collaboration between the US and its European allies.