Rubio, Witkoff heading to France for talks on Ukraine, Iran and trade

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, according to two people familiar with preparations for the trip, Report informs via Politico.

Witkoff is set to meet French President Emmanuel Macron while Rubio will speak with his French counterpart, Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.

According to a US official who was granted anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters, Rubio will be in Paris this week before heading to Africa.

An official familiar with preparations for the trip said the two sides will discuss Ukraine, Iran and trade relations in the wake of Trump’s tariff threats.

The trip marks the first time high-level American dignitaries have traveled to France since US Vice-President JD Vance attended a summit on artificial intelligence in February.

Tariffs are expected to be high on the agenda. Last week, Macron said Trump’s move to suspend his most punishing tariffs for 90 days offers only a “fragile” pause in tensions.