Marco Rubio Leads US Entry into ‘Coalition of the Willing’ to End Ukraine War

In a dramatic change of pace, the Trump administration is officially coming aboard with the UK and France to negotiate to advance a ceasefire in Ukraine. On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff will fly to Paris to meet for the first time with British and French officials. The discussions represent Washington’s joining the European-led ‘coalition of the willing’, a team that is laboring to impose future peace and restore Ukraine’s defenses.

The latest chapter in these negotiations comes on the heels of Witkoff’s recent meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump’s advisors, who seek to weigh options for a ceasefire in the Black Sea and energy spheres. Yet Russia’s preconditions remain problematic.

Paris talks mark a first for Trump officials

Rubio and Witkoff will meet in Paris with British Foreign Minister David Lammy and other senior officials. Officials from the Trump administration are making their first appearance in the UK-France coalition negotiations on Ukraine.

Hopefully, Macron can talk some sense into these two bozos.

Witkoff and Rubio headed to ?? for talks on Ukraine, Iran and trade.https://t.co/BCicR9YtCP

— Fred Fella (@FredFellaIMO) April 16, 2025

British PM Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have led the effort. Their ambition is to develop a European-led force to secure peace in the future and to prevent Russia from further aggression. As of yet, only the UK and France have committed troops.

Witkoff to brief allies on Putin talks

Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, met recently with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. In Paris, he will report to UK and French officials on that conversation. That information will inform the coalition’s approach from here on out.

The US State Department has confirmed Rubio’s visit, saying he will seek to “advance President Trump’s goal to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war and halt the bloodshed.” Marco Rubio will also discuss broader regional security interests.

Ceasefire proposals and Russia’s demands

Two ceasefire plans have emerged from recent diplomacy. One focuses on ending hostilities in the Black Sea, while the other targets attacks on energy infrastructure. Ukraine has accepted both. Russia, however, has tied its agreement to sweeping demands, including lifting sanctions on its agricultural sector.

Earlier this week, negotiations in Turkey went only partially well. Now, Paris is the focal point. If these negotiations do not make headway, chances of a short-term ceasefire are lost.

Wider strategy taking shape

The UK and France seem set on taking the lead, even if not with the full support of NATO. In bringing the US on board, they aim to convert symbolic support into actual influence. Washington’s involvement could add diplomatic clout, particularly following Witkoff’s unusual access to Putin.

But Russia’s toughened position still looms in the background. The West is now faced with a choice of whether to back down on sanctions or hold firm. Either course, the result of Thursday’s Paris negotiations will redraw the map of European security.