Rubio will discuss Iran, Ukraine, AI and more with G7 allies in France

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold discussions with his counterparts from the Group of 7 industrialized democracies in Paris on Monday. The agenda will cover unresolved global crises and delve into President Donald Trump's approach to foreign policy post the Republican Party's substantial midterm election losses. The major topics on the table include the Russia-Ukraine war, Iran conflict, energy, and artificial intelligence.

The two-day meeting coincides with demonstrations across Europe, including in Paris. Many U.S. allies are keen to hear how Trump intends to proceed with each issue. Rubio's first foreign trip since the midterm elections, which dealt Trump's party significant setbacks and diminished GOP control of Congress, is expected to shed light on what comes next for the administration.

Rubio acknowledged that the countries he is meeting with comprehend American politics and have experienced internal divisions. Despite Democrats' gains, there seems to be no impact on Trump's strategy. His recent decision to appoint Stephen Miller as chief of staff, an advocate for extreme domestic and foreign policies, has raised eyebrows.

Rubio has denied speculation about stepping down early to prepare for a 2028 presidential run. However, he acknowledged that there have been conversations about potential compromises to end Russia's war in Ukraine. The administration is exploring a partnership with Europe to bring an end to the conflict, with security guarantees for Ukraine and the rest of Europe being a top concern for allies.

The talks also revolve around Iran and its ongoing conflict. While Rubio mentioned that Iran demands are "simply not just unacceptable," he expressed hope that allies would have questions about the conflict and the path forward.

The G7 meetings follow a larger diplomatic gathering where Rubio hosted G20 foreign ministers, which produced little consensus on significant global issues. The G7, comprising the world's biggest industrialized democracies, is made up entirely of U.S. allies. However, differences among the members are likely to persist, with the French signaling that a joint communique might not be produced.

The French hosts have invited Brazil, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine to participate in discussions on various topics, including artificial intelligence and support for Ukraine.