European foreign ministers have pressed United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure Europe has a role in any settlement to end Russia's war against Ukraine. The discussions took place during a Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting in Paris on Monday, occurring just ahead of US-mediated peace talks scheduled in Abu Dhabi.
The Paris gathering marked Rubio's initial meeting with allies following midterm elections that brought losses for President Donald Trump's Republican Party. During the sessions, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul asserted that Europe must be included at the negotiating table, stating that altering Europe's security architecture is neither necessary nor appropriate. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, scheduled to join the Paris talks on Tuesday, echoed these sentiments by stating that decisions regarding Ukraine's fate should not be made without them.
G7 allies have expressed growing unease regarding shifting US policies, which include a reduction in support for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, alongside a more unilateral approach. The ongoing two-day Paris meetings also overlap with scheduled discussions between Russia and Ukraine in the United Arab Emirates, while broader regional topics, including Middle East instability, are set for Tuesday's agenda.