Rubio and Witkoff in Paris: Diplomacy Efforts to Resolve…

Marco Rubio and Steve Witkoff are in Paris for talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, focusing on peace initiatives and security guarantees for Ukraine. They will meet key European leaders, while also discussing trade relations. Rubio announced the closure of a disinformation counter office during this visit.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Ambassador Steve Witkoff are currently in Paris, France, for discussions aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Their visit, which spans from Wednesday to Friday, aims to advance the goals set by President Trump to cease hostilities and facilitate peace in the region. According to State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, these talks will also cover strategies to promote shared interests in Europe.

During this diplomatic trip, Witkoff is scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron, while Rubio will engage with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. Previous meetings have included a lengthy five-hour discussion between Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin concerning peace initiatives for Ukraine. Witkoff emphasized the complexity of the proposed peace agreement, particularly regarding five contested territories.

The territories in question include Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, along with the partially occupied regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. In the event of a potential truce, President Macron has expressed the necessity for Ukraine to receive security assurances, which may involve the deployment of a reassurance force supported by a coalition of approximately 30 nations, with six countries prepared to send troops.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has openly opposed this idea, asserting that recognizing occupied territories is non-negotiable. He remarked, “These are red lines for us – recognizing any temporarily occupied territories as anything other than Ukrainian is unacceptable.” This sentiment reflects the ongoing contention regarding territorial recognition and sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Rubio has indicated that discussions will also focus on Iran and trade relations, particularly in light of recent tariff policies implemented by Trump. The administration has instituted a 10% tariff, with a pause on a reciprocal 20% tariff affecting the 27 European Union countries. Following this diplomatic mission, Rubio plans to travel to Africa.

In an unexpected announcement made during the trip, Rubio declared the closure of the State Department’s office aimed at countering foreign disinformation. He criticized the office for its past operations, stating, “It is the responsibility of every government official to continuously work to preserve and protect the freedom for Americans to exercise their free speech.” He highlighted the office’s high costs to taxpayers and its mission contradicting foundational American principles. This closure follows bipartisan concerns regarding the office’s role in censorship under the previous administration, which Republicans described as detrimental to free speech.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Ambassador Steve Witkoff are in France to engage European leaders in talks aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Their discussions will address security guarantees for Ukraine while also touching on broader issues such as trade relations and disinformation. However, substantial opposition from Ukraine regarding territorial recognition highlights the complexities of these negotiations. Rubio’s decision to close a counter-disinformation office underscores a shift in the approach to government communication and free speech.

Original Source: www.upi.com