European ministers look to Rubio for clarity in Paris as he sees no quick breakthrough with Iran

G7 foreign ministers gathered in Paris on Monday for two days of talks. For US Secretary of State Marco Rubio it is the first trip abroad since the midterm elections, in which the Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress, AP reports. The meeting was moved from Marseille to Paris at the last minute for scheduling reasons, Reuters writes. France also invited Brazil, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine to part of the discussions.

The Europeans mainly want clarity from Rubio on Ukraine and want to avoid a new escalation with Iran. German minister Johann Wadephul said Europe does not need a new security architecture but does need a seat at the table. Rubio called Iran's demands in the talks on ending the war unacceptable and said a breakthrough was not close. Disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been pushing up fuel prices for months.

The International Criminal Court is another source of friction. Washington wants to dismantle the court and has imposed sanctions on it and some of its staff, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas defended the court, AP reports. Rubio also discussed the court and the position of US companies in Europe separately with his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot, according to 8am Media. Ukrainian minister Andrii Sybiha joins today.