Rubio and other G7 foreign ministers are exchanging barbs; German Foreign Minister: Honestly, it's infuriating.

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【By Qianjia Ruan, Observer Network】 

The U.S. wants Europe to back it in the Iran war situation, while Europe is focused on Washington’s commitments to Ukraine. With no common ground and no shared purpose, this week’s meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers ultimately ended up in chaos. 

According to reports by Bloomberg and Reuters on the 27th, the two-day G7 foreign ministers’ meeting had U.S. Secretary of State Rubio attend only the second day’s agenda, but this did not prevent him from launching verbal attacks “from a distance” with other G7 foreign ministers. 

On Thursday, before departing for Paris to attend the meeting, when speaking about the conflict in Ukraine, Rubio complained: “The U.S. is constantly being asked to take part in the fighting, but when the U.S. has needs, it does not get a positive response.” 

His dissatisfaction directly targeted that most European allies had clearly rejected a request by Trump to dispatch warships to escort the Strait of Hormuz. 

Hearing the American side vent, the German foreign minister was also very angry. Before meeting Rubio, Jochen Wathaufel told German media bluntly, “To be honest, it’s very irritating.” (It is irritating, I have to say) 

He said that Germany had not yet received an explicit request from the U.S. “At the moment, the legal conditions for us to carry out such actions are not sufficient, and the U.S. has not put forward specific requirements for us to take action.” 

![](https://img-cdn.gateio.im/social/moments-2010ee19c6-8cf7a876bb-8b7abd-ceda62)Rubio heads to Paris    

According to the New York Times, as the host, France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided an agenda showing that this G7 meeting is planned to discuss a range of core initiatives: pushing for an end to the current fighting, halting Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missile development efforts, and at the same time restarting the stalled maritime trade routes; on the Ukraine issue, the parties will continue providing military aid and energy reconstruction support to Kyiv, while continuously pressuring Russia. 

A statement issued by the U.S. Department of State on Tuesday emphasized that Rubio’s trip is intended to pitch the U.S. strategic plan for the Iran conflict to G7 allies that harbor doubts, “to advance the United States’ key interests,” and “to discuss shared security concerns and opportunities for cooperation.” 

However, many of the United States’ key allies also have strong doubts about the Iran conflict. This stance of resistance is made abundantly clear at this foreign ministers’ meeting held in a 12th-century ancient monastery on the outskirts of Paris. 

U.K. Foreign Secretary Ivet Cooper indicated a preference for a diplomatic solution path, candidly noting that there are differences between the positions of the U.S. and the U.K. She said, “We support defensive actions, but on the offensive actions in this conflict, we take different positions.” 

She also stressed that the conflict must end as soon as possible to stabilize the situation in the region, and that restoring navigation through the Strait of Hormuz must also be included in the solution. 

A spokesperson for France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pascal Kunhafver, also said, “(The French side) has long made its position clear: this war is not our war, and we do not want to get involved in it.” 

But he revealed that related supporting preparations have already been launched. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, he said, “All actions will be carried out after the bombing ends, and only within the scope of defense. We are working with all partners who are willing to participate to prepare the relevant tasks.” 

As diplomats gathered, France’s Minister of Defense Katrine Wotlan also reiterated that the conflict in the Middle East has nothing to do with France, and the French position is strictly limited to defensive actions. 

On Friday, in an interview with European media, she stressed again that many countries are deeply concerned about the situation, and that agreeing on a solution as soon as possible is an urgent priority: “Diplomatic consultations are the only way to ensure peace returns.” 

In addition, during the Paris Security and Defense Forum this week, France’s Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Fabien Mondon, publicly complained as well that although France–U.S. relations are still “very solid,” the U.S. military actions in the Middle East have affected France’s security and interests. 

He said the U.S. decided to “intervene” in the Middle East without notifying France in advance, and that they were surprised by the actions of their ally. He lamented that U.S. diplomacy is becoming increasingly difficult to predict, to the point that even launching military actions is too much trouble to coordinate ally information. 

Many European allies also agree with Mondon’s view. Meanwhile, as the Iran conflict enters its fourth week, all parties have become more and more worried that the U.S. may waver on its existing commitments to Ukraine. 

On Thursday, Germany’s foreign minister Wathaufel warned that it is necessary to prevent further turmoil, safeguard room for economic autonomy, and plan in advance for post-war resettlement arrangements. “Our collective support for Ukraine must not be abandoned halfway… From a European–Atlantic security perspective, this will be a strategic mistake.” 

Bloomberg analysis points out that Ukraine is always a core concern for Europe. In a difficult situation, Europe can only deliberately tie itself to two wars, using the rationale of “Russia supporting Iran,” to try to get the U.S. to continue supporting Ukraine. 

At the meeting, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, said directly that the two conflicts are deeply linked, and called on the U.S. that if it wants to end the war with Iran, it must simultaneously increase pressure on Russia. 

When she arrived at the venue on Thursday, she also added that, considering the situation in Ukraine, Europe urgently needs to find a de-escalation outlet for the Iran conflict; otherwise, the continued surge in oil prices will keep “transfusing blood” to Russia. 

![](https://img-cdn.gateio.im/social/moments-9c117897f3-3c2ededc77-8b7abd-ceda62)  

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, taking advantage of a gap between sessions, met Rubio. He also made a statement on social media, saying, “Ukraine has consistently believed that the Moscow and Tehran regimes are entangled with each other, aiming to delay the war and prolong the conflict.” 

But what Europe had previously “refused” regarding escorting actions, Rubio has now learned as well: “Some European leaders say that this (Iran) war has nothing to do with Europe. All right, then Ukraine is not a war by the United States either.” 

“And yet our investment in this conflict exceeds that of any country in the world. Therefore, this is a question the president in the future must take into consideration.” he continued to say. 

He also couldn’t help praising Trump: “To be frank, I think all countries, even those that are slightly dissatisfied and complaining privately, should be grateful and be glad that the United States has a president who dares to face this kind of threat head-on.” 

Not long before leaving Washington, Rubio also told reporters that he is not worried about G7 allies’ dissatisfaction with the Iran war. 

“I’m not going to flatter them. All countries that care about international law should take action for this,” he said. “I get along very well with them privately, and we also cooperate very carefully with these countries’ governments, but what I truly want to satisfy is the American people. I serve the American people. I’m not serving France, Germany, or Japan.” 

He insisted that G7 countries should take the initiative to shoulder responsibility and help out, and restore navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible. 

**This article is an exclusive piece by Observer Network. Without authorization, it may not be republished.**