G7 talks in Paris try to tackle global crises with uncertainty high over US approach

As it approaches its fifth year, it's no surprise then that the war in Ukraine is at the top of the agenda at the G7 summit here in Paris. Foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Canada, Japan and the United States are meeting their Ukrainian counterpart as a part of those talks today. Andriy Sibia speaking first to Marco Rubio before wider talks with the entire G7. For more on that, we'll speak to our reporter, Clovis Casale, that has been covering that meeting. Here in Paris. Hi, Clovis. So can you tell us more about the Ukraine angle of these talks? What is being discussed today? Well, we know that the German foreign minister, for instance, urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to make sure that the Europeans are included as much as possible in the peace talks. The French did the same. One French diplomat was telling me earlier, we are part of these talks in Abu Dhabi. Nothing can be done when it comes to Europe's security without Europeans, of course. And that's why G7 members were asking Marco Rubio for these past two days. To make sure that does happen, because these talks in Abu Dhabi, well, they're trilateral talks organized by the U.S. with Ukrainians and Russians. And yes, indeed, the Ukrainian foreign minister speaking this morning with Marco Rubio. Surely asking him also to respect Ukraine's territorial integrity and the EU published a statement a few hours ago, saying that that was also an important point. There was also a lot of talk about Iran, the British Foreign Secretary, welcoming. These renewed efforts, these new negotiations, the French also and the British Foreign Secretary David Miliband also publishing a statement saying he welcomed these talks because it's necessary for peace to be achieved in the region, notably in the Hormuz Strait, because of course it is having an impact on economies around the world. Now, staying with this question of Iran, Clovis, and other foreign policy news that's likely playing into what's being on the agenda in these talks today, France yesterday, Monday, blamed Iran for those massive cyber attacks targeting supermarket chains here in France. Last month, the French foreign minister then vowing a tough response, even as Iran rejected those accusations today. Let's take a listen first to what Jean-Noël Barrault said. Generally speaking, it takes a long time to identify cyber criminals because, of course, the attackers conceal evidence that might incriminate them. But we now have the extremely advanced expertise to do so, which is recognized as such throughout the world. And I am obviously not going to reveal the secrets that enabled us to establish with certainty that Iran's Revolutionary Guards were behind this attack. It's also a way of deterring those who might wish to launch cyber attacks against France, because it shows we will see them, we will know who they are, and we will know how to respond. ... who they are, and we will be able to replicate them. So, Clovis, then France vowing a firm response, what does that entail? Well, in that press conference, I asked Jean-Noël Barrot, the French foreign minister, what is exactly the nature of these sanctions, and will you get help from your G7 allies, when it comes to that firm response, you are promising. Well, he answered that the sanctions are very clear. The freezing of assets, Iranian assets, the banning of visas for Iranian citizens coming to France and probably to Europe, of course, also these sanctions will be decided on the European level in the coming weeks. And Jean-Noël Barrot not ruling out what we could call... a Um, secret action against Iran. In other words, if you ask me, there could very well be a French cyber retaliation against Iran. He's not ruling out any kind of action of that nature. And he would refuse to disclose what kind of action he would, France would be taking against Iran. Interesting point also when Jean-Noël Barrot. Said that he talked about this with Marco Rubio today with the U.S. Secretary of State, expressing his surprise at the fact that France was targeted by this Iranian cyber attack, even though France did not take part in the U.S. airstrikes on Iran. But France saying also, Jean-Noël Barrot, that indeed France was against the repression carried out by Iran in previous months. against its citizens and that France would respond with a proportionate and responsible response to these Iranian cyber attacks. Nothing's ruled out, but you can expect tough action coming from France very soon. Clovis Casali reporting on those G7 talks here in Paris. Thank you very much.