U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and presidential envoy Steve Witkoff met with French President Emmanuel Macron and other European officials in Paris on Thursday to discuss a potential ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war. The talks aim to advance President Trump's goal of ending the conflict and stopping the bloodshed.
The meetings come as concerns grow about U.S. President Donald Trump's readiness to draw closer to Russia. There is also frustration over the Trump administration's other moves, from tariffs on some of its closest partners to rhetoric about NATO and Greenland.
Rubio and Witkoff have been leading U.S. efforts to seek peace in Ukraine. Several rounds of negotiations have been held in Saudi Arabia, and Witkoff recently met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a possible ceasefire. France has been leading European efforts to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, including the potential deployment of a reassurance force.
Meanwhile, a massive drone attack hit the city of Dnipro in Ukraine on Wednesday night, killing three people, including a child. Despite these challenges, diplomatic efforts continue in Paris, with discussions focusing on Ukraine's security and a path towards de-escalation.