Amid W Asia conflict, Rubio seeks to rally ‘sceptical’ allies at G7

Foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) met in France on Friday to discuss conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, with divisions surfacing over the ongoing US-Israel war with Iran and its wider global impact.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio joined counterparts just a day after President Donald Trump criticised NATO allies for failing to support Washington and Tel Aviv in confronting Iran’s retaliation, including disruptions to international shipping following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The meeting, held at a historic abbey in Vaux-de-Cernay near Paris, took place against a backdrop of continued volatility in oil markets as the conflict entered its fourth week. Uncertainty also persists over prospects for negotiations to end the crisis.

Several US allies have expressed deep scepticism about the war, while urging renewed diplomatic efforts. France’s Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin said the Middle East conflict “is not ours”, adding that Paris maintained a strictly defensive stance. “The aim is truly this diplomatic approach, which is the only one that can guarantee a return to peace,” she said.

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper echoed calls for diplomacy, acknowledging differences with Washington. “We have taken the approach of supporting defensive action, but also we’ve taken a different approach on the offensive action that has taken place,” she said.

Rubio faces the challenge of persuading partners amid lingering tensions over Trump’s earlier remarks on NATO burden-sharing and broader European concerns about US policies, including demands related to Greenland and support for Ukraine.

“I’m not there to make them happy,” Rubio said before departing for France. “The people I’m interested in making happy are the people of the United States.” He later posted that discussions would focus on shared security concerns and pathways to address the Middle East conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war.