G7 Diplomats in Paris: Rubio Joins Final French Presidency Summit

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Paris for a two-day meeting with his foreign ministry counterparts from the Group of Seven. The gathering marks the final major event of the French G7 presidency. The summit was moved from the port city of Marseille to Paris at the last minute due to scheduling conflicts.

The agenda centers on the war in Ukraine and potential US military actions against Iran. These topics mirror the discussions from the previous ministerial meeting in March. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia is approaching its fifth anniversary, marking nearly five years of conflict since February 2022.

Rubio is attending both days of the summit, a change from his single-day appearance in March. This is his first trip abroad since the recent US midterm elections, where Republican candidates suffered defeats. Some American media outlets view Rubio as a potential successor to President Donald Trump. The United States will take over the G7 presidency from France in 2027.

European leaders are expected to push their American partners for a fair settlement in Kyiv. They also want the US to show restraint in the Middle East. President Trump has predicted a major deal with Russia that could involve the Ukraine war and broader European security. Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law and envoy, said the US is working on a new European security architecture for lasting peace. European leaders have historically viewed such concepts with skepticism.

The timing of the Paris meeting aligns with US-mediated negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in Abu Dhabi. Those talks are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that Europe would be represented in those discussions, with France participating directly. European officials are concerned that Ukraine should not be forced to accept disadvantageous terms.

On the issue of Iran, President Trump has left open the possibility of new strikes. He mentioned the suspected nuclear site known as Pickaxe Mountain, which Tehran denies is a nuclear facility. European nations want a resolution to restore normal shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump recently said that Iran wants to make a deal very badly.

The French finance ministry is hosting a donor conference on Monday alongside the ministerial talks. The goal is to raise funds to repair the protective dome at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in Ukraine. The dome was damaged by a Russian strike last year. Approximately 500 million euros are needed for the repair, but only just over half has been raised so far. The target date to secure the remaining funds is spring 2027.

Marseille will still host the launch of a network of 14 global ports. This network aims to combat drug trafficking, a significant issue in the southern city. Before departing for France, Rubio addressed reporters. He noted that a division of power in the US Congress is not uncommon. He expressed confidence in the safety of the G7 meeting despite widespread protests in France.