G7 Allies Press US Secretary of State to Push for Ceasefire in Iran, Ukraine War

European foreign ministers are exerting diplomatic pressure on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure a rational resolution to the war in Ukraine and avoid military tensions with Iran. A two-day meeting of top diplomats from the G7, the group of major industrialized nations, has begun in Paris. During this meeting, European representatives are clearly conveying their deep concerns regarding the Ukraine and Middle East issues to the US Secretary of State.

Attended by the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States, the meeting has created a major opportunity for European allies to directly understand Washington’s strategies and plans. Entering its fifth year, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Meanwhile, despite President Donald Trump’s Republican Party suffering a defeat in the recent US midterm elections, Washington has not entirely ruled out the possibility of a US military campaign against Iran. Amidst the Paris meeting, a schedule for discussions between the delegations of Moscow and Kyiv, mediated by the US, has been set in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for Tuesday and Wednesday to end the Ukraine war.

However, these talks have sparked deep apprehension within Europe. European nations fear that Kyiv may be forced to accept an unequal or detrimental agreement. They also worry that the United States and Russia might forge a new security-related understanding between themselves, bypassing Europe. Europe’s fears have been further heightened by President Trump, who recently hinted at a very big deal involving Russia, Ukraine, and all of Europe. On the Iran issue, European countries are strongly urging a swift diplomatic solution and the restoration of normal shipping traffic through the crucial Strait of Hormuz energy transit route.

Source: AFP, The Times of Israel.