The meeting will be the first time since February that such top-ranking officials from both sides of the Atlantic have met to discuss possible ways to bring an end to the war that has now raged on for over three years. A statement published on the State Department’s website said the two “will travel to Paris, France, April 16-18 for talks with European counterparts to advance President Trump’s goal to end the Russia-Ukraine war and stop the bloodshed.” “While in Paris, he [Rubio] will also discuss ways to advance shared interests in the region,” it added. Rubio and Witkoff are also due to meet Emmanuel Macron, the French president, on Thursday. They will then meet Rubio’s French and German counterparts along with David Lammy, the British foreign secretary, and other European foreign and defense officials. The talks come as efforts to secure a ceasefire falter. Although President Trump has made ending the war a priority, saying earlier this year he would end it on day one of his presidency, he has failed to convince Vladimir Putin to accept a ceasefire deal. There has also been mounting frustration in Europe over Trump’s apparent reluctance to apply pressure on Putin to accept a ceasefire deal and condemn Russian attacks. The talks will also cover Iran and trade relations.