G7 ministers meet in Paris amid regional tensions and war in Ukraine

Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, is participating in the discussions, alongside Johann Wadephul (Germany), Ed Miliband (United Kingdom), Anita Anand (Canada), Jean-Noël Barrot (France), Antonio Tajani (Italy) and Toshimitsu Motegi (Japan).

Initially scheduled for a single day in March, this meeting is now taking place over two days, and was originally intended to conclude in Marseille, before being maintained in Paris, at the Quai d’Orsay, in the prestigious Salon de l’Horloge.

Maritime security, the Strait of Hormuz, and energy issues will be at the heart of the discussions, particularly due to tensions with Iran. U.S. strikes, conducted with the support of Israel, have led to the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz and a surge in energy prices.

This situation has exacerbated regional tensions, affecting Lebanon, where a direct front has opened between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait, where civilian infrastructure has been affected.

France has said it is concerned about the situation in Lebanon and plans to discuss this issue during the G7, with the aim of putting in place a replacement for UNIFIL before the end of the year.

Marco Rubio’s visit marks his first international appearance after the U.S. midterm elections, which saw Democrats regain control of Congress.

The G7 meeting offers U.S. allies an opportunity to assess the new direction of the Trump administration, particularly concerning Ukraine, where peace talks are planned in Abu Dhabi between Moscow and Kyiv.

The Europeans will seek to measure the impact of the U.S. elections on support for Kyiv and on the debate concerning European strategic autonomy. They also wish to play an active role in future negotiations.

Jean-Noël Barrot affirmed that France will be present in Abu Dhabi to participate in these discussions.

Furthermore, a donors conference for the restoration of the confinement arch of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant will be held in Paris, while a network of global ports will be launched in Marseille to combat drug trafficking.

To broaden the scope of the G7, France has invited the foreign ministers of Brazil, South Korea, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine.

This meeting marks one of the last major events of the French G7 presidency, before the transfer of responsibility to the United States.