US, French top diplomats hold call about ending Ukraine war, State Dept says
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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and his US counterpart held a call with about “bringing an end to the Russia-Ukraine war”.
PHOTO: REUTERS
WASHINGTON – US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a call with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot about “bringing an end to the Russia-Ukraine war”, the State Department said on March 7.
“The Secretary emphasised President Trump’s determination to achieve, through negotiations, a just and lasting peace, and stressed the United States will continue working with France towards this end,” the US State Department said in a statement.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently met US President Donald Trump at the White House.
The US President has said he wants to bring the Ukraine war, launched by Russia when it invaded its neighbour more than three years ago, to an end. Mr Trump has also said Europe must take more responsibility for its security.
Mr Trump has paused military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine to pressure Kyiv to accept a ceasefire deal after an explosive Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a week ago.
While European leaders rallied to Mr Zelensky after his clash with Mr Trump, their approach to the Russia-Ukraine war and Europe's security remains highly dependent on the US President.
Mr Trump has also said that he is “strongly considering” imposing sweeping sanctions, including ones on banking, and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and peace agreement is reached with Ukraine. REUTERS
