US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot on Friday regarding ending the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, according to the US State Department.
In a statement by the State Department, the Secretary emphasized President Trump’s determination to achieve, through negotiations, a just and lasting peace, and stressed that the United States would continue working with France towards the end.
It could be recalled that French President Emmanuel Macron recently met US President Donald Trump at the White House.
The US president has said he wants to bring the Ukraine war, launched by Russia when it invaded its neighbor more than three years ago, to an end, adding that Europe must take more responsibility for its security.
Trump has paused military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine to pressure Kyiv to accept a ceasefire deal after an explosive Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a week ago.
While European leaders rallied to Zelenskyy after his clash with Trump, their approach to the Russia-Ukraine war and Europe’s security reportedly remains highly dependent on the US president.
Trump has also said that he is “strongly considering imposing sweeping sanctions, including ones on banking, and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and peace agreement is reached with Ukraine.
Written By Matthew Atungwu