Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, are set to visit Paris this week to engage with European allies in discussions aimed at negotiating a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. The State Department emphasized the importance of advancing President Trump’s objective to end the conflict and halt the violence in the region. Rubio will also explore opportunities to further shared interests in the area during the meetings in France.

Simultaneously, Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Italy before visiting the White House later in the week. These diplomatic engagements come amidst growing concerns regarding the Trump administration’s approach to Russia and its efforts to mediate a ceasefire in Ukraine. There is skepticism surrounding various U.S. policies, including trade tariffs, NATO rhetoric, and discussions about Greenland.

Rubio and Witkoff have been instrumental in leading U.S. peace efforts, with recent negotiations held in Saudi Arabia and a meeting between Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite a recent agreement between Moscow and Kyiv to halt strikes on energy facilities, Russia has continued daily attacks, highlighting ongoing disagreements between the two parties on ceasefire terms.

Witkoff’s diplomatic activities extend beyond Ukraine, as evidenced by his negotiations with Iranian officials regarding Tehran’s nuclear program. These discussions form part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to broker peace agreements not only in Ukraine but also in other regions like the Middle East.