G7 Paris Talks Press Rubio on Iran and Ukraine

The G7 Paris talks began on Monday, with foreign ministers meeting for two days as European ministers prepared to press United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure any settlement in Ukraine is fair to Kyiv and to avoid a new escalation with Iran.

The meeting brings together Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. The Paris talks coincide with US-mediated negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv in Abu Dhabi, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, on ending the war in Ukraine. France has said Europeans will be represented there.

Europe wants a place at the table

Europe is concerned Kyiv could be forced to accept disadvantageous conditions and that the United States could offer Russia security guarantees over European heads.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul made the point plainly as he headed into the talks. “For Europe, it is clear: we do not need to establish a new security architecture for Europe,” he said, adding that Europe “must have a place at the table”.

President Donald Trump stoked concern about a US pivot toward the Kremlin by predicting a “very big” deal with Russia involving not only Ukraine but “all of Europe”. Before leaving for Paris, Rubio said the post-war security infrastructure of Europe is “one of the key topics that’s been raised repeatedly in every conversation any time negotiations have been discussed”.

“We obviously have to get past the conflict to get to that point,” he added.

A last-minute move from Marseille

The meeting is one of the final acts of the French G7 presidency. It had been scheduled for Marseille, but was moved to Paris at the last minute, with only scheduling reasons given.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot opened the meeting with a slip that drew laughter from his counterparts. “Welcome to Marseille,” he said, before correcting himself.

Alongside Ukraine, the ministers are expected to discuss Iran, where the United States has signalled restraint in recent days even as it keeps military options open. Oil prices fell sharply as Trump signalled restraint on Iran, a shift that has eased immediate fears of a wider war in the Gulf.

France has also accused Iran of being behind a wave of cyberattacks on household appliances, a charge Tehran denies. France blames Tehran for the refrigerator hacks and has vowed retaliation, adding another strand to the Paris discussions.

What Ukraine wants from the talks

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga will join the talks in Paris on Tuesday for a session on Ukraine. He wrote on X that his focus would be on “steps toward de-escalation and peace, stronger protection of Ukrainian skies, more pressure on the aggressor, and freedom of navigation in the Black Sea”.

Zelensky said he had spoken with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen to coordinate positions ahead of the talks.

For Kyiv, the stakes are high. Ukraine wants stronger air defences, continued pressure on Moscow and guarantees that any settlement does not reward aggression. Trump has said a war with Iran is highly unlikely, and a US strike on Iran’s Qeshm Island caused no vital damage, according to Iranian officials.

Why the G7 Paris talks matter

The G7 meeting is the last formal chance for Europe to shape the American position before the Abu Dhabi talks open. If the Europeans and Rubio leave Paris with a shared line, Ukraine will enter the negotiations with stronger backing. If they do not, Kyiv could face pressure to accept terms it regards as unfair.

What happens next

The Paris meeting continues on Tuesday, when Sybiga joins the Ukraine session, and the Abu Dhabi talks run Tuesday and Wednesday. Any statement from Paris on Tuesday evening will show whether the Europeans secured the assurances they sought.

Frequently asked questions

What is the G7 meeting in Paris about?

The G7 foreign ministers are meeting in Paris for two days to discuss Ukraine and Iran, and European ministers want to press Marco Rubio to ensure any Ukraine settlement is fair to Kyiv.

Why was the meeting moved from Marseille?

The meeting was scheduled for Marseille but moved to Paris at the last minute. Only scheduling reasons were given for the change.

What are the Abu Dhabi talks?

US-mediated negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, on ending the war in Ukraine. France has said Europeans will be represented there.

What does Europe want from Rubio?

Europe wants a place at the table in any settlement and does not want the United States to offer Russia new security guarantees over European heads.

Who is attending the Paris talks?

Foreign ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. Ukraine’s Andriy Sybiga joins on Tuesday.