Trump Envoys Fly to Paris to Talk to Macron About Ukraine, Tariffs
The European version of Politico writes that Trump's chief negotiators, Secretary of State Rubio and Special Representative Witkoff, are heading to France for talks on Ukraine, Iran and tariffs.
"US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's special envoy tasked with ending the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, are expected to travel to Paris later this week, two people familiar with the trip said," the report said.
According to the publication, Witkoff will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron, and Rubio will speak with Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The two sides will discuss Ukraine, Iran, and trade relations in light of Trump's tariff threats, the source said.
After Paris, Rubio will head to Africa, the US official said.
"Macron's talk with Witkoff comes just days after the envoy met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a possible cease-fire in Ukraine amid deadlocked U.S.-Russian talks. The Moscow meeting was "another step in the cease-fire negotiations" despite Trump's "disappointment," according to a White House spokesman," the article says.
It is noted that the French president is leading European efforts to provide Kyiv with security guarantees, including the deployment of a so-called security force in Ukraine. Macron previously unsuccessfully tried to secure American support for this initiative from Trump . It is likely that he will make a new attempt during his conversation with American officials.
The trip will be the first visit to France by a senior American official since US Vice President J.D. Vance attended an artificial intelligence summit in February.
Tariffs are also expected to be on the agenda . Last week, Macron said Trump's decision to suspend his harshest tariffs for 90 days offered only a "fragile" pause in tensions.
Trump's envoys fly to Paris to talk with Macron about Ukraine and tariffs