After Paris meeting, Rubio sees European leverage in Russia-Ukraine war resolution
Photo: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (Getty Images)
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio believes that Europe can help end the war in Ukraine. He made this statement after talks in Paris, according to TF1.
The US Secretary of State made the statement on April 18 before flying to Washington from Paris Le Bourget Airport. Rubio and US Special Representative Steve Witkoff have been in Paris since April 16. The main purpose of their visit is to negotiate over Russia's war against Ukraine.
According to Rubio, Britain, France and Germany could help bring the war in Ukraine to an end.
“I think the United Kingdom, France and Germany can help us, move things forward and bring us closer to a solution. I think their ideas are very helpful and constructive,” Rubio said.
Earlier the US excluded European participation in the negotiations on the war in Ukraine.
A statement to this effect was made by US Special Representative for Ukraine Keith Kellogg at the Munich Security Conference. He claimed that he did not see Europe at the table for negotiations on Ukraine. This position was met with negative reception in Europe.
According to Bloomberg, the United States later promised Europe to participate in peace talks on Ukraine because Russia wants the EU sanctions lifted.
This thesis was partially confirmed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He did not rule out the possibility that the issue of EU sanctions against Russia could be raised at the ceasefire talks.
Negotiations in Paris
On Thursday, April 17, a series of meetings took place in Paris among representatives from Ukraine, Europe, and the United States.
Ukraine was represented by Andriy Yermak, the head of the Presidential Office, Andrii Sybiha, the Foreign Minister, and Rustem Umerov, the Defense Minister. They first met with members of the Coalition of the Willing, namely representatives from France, Britain, and Germany.
Senior US officials Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff met with French President Emmanuel Macron. The delegations of Ukraine and the United States also met in Paris.
According to Yermak, this was a new format of negotiations between Ukraine, Europe, and the United States. The head of the Presidential Office also announced a new meeting.
