U.S.-France Talks to Focus on Ukraine, Iran, and Middle East Tensions

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris on Thursday to discuss key global issues including the war in Ukraine, Iran’s nuclear program, and tensions in the Middle East, according to a French diplomatic source.

The meeting comes amid a renewed push by the Trump administration to revive diplomatic talks with Iran. Negotiations resumed earlier this month, with initial talks held in Oman and a second round scheduled in Rome this weekend. Parallel efforts are also underway to mediate a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

French media had previously reported that U.S. officials would visit Paris this week. On Wednesday, French government spokesperson Sophie Primas confirmed that Secretary Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will visit France shortly. “All subjects regarding the Middle East will be on the table,” Primas said, indicating that discussions will cover a broad spectrum of regional security concerns.

In a separate diplomatic engagement, French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu is set to travel to Washington on Thursday. There, he will meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg, and Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence.

These meetings underscore growing cooperation between the U.S. and France on major geopolitical challenges, particularly as tensions escalate in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The high-level talks signal strategic alignment on nuclear diplomacy and military coordination amid shifting global dynamics.