Key facts
- G7 leaders agreed to increase pressure on Russia and support Ukraine's defense capabilities.
- French President Emmanuel Macron was instrumental in securing U.S. President Donald Trump's support for Ukraine.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's presentation of images of a damaged cathedral visibly affected Trump.
- The G7 joint declaration included a commitment to new defense capacities for Kyiv.
- Leaders also agreed on a commitment to reduce dependency on Chinese rare earths by 2030.
G7 leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, agreed to increase pressure on Russia and bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities during their summit in France. French President Emmanuel Macron is credited with orchestrating a diplomatic win by securing Trump's commitment, which was reportedly influenced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's presentation of images depicting damage to Kyiv's Dormition cathedral.
Macron, as host, worked to align with Trump's priorities, including on Ukraine. During a dinner, leaders tailored their messaging to frame Ukraine as a winner and Russia as a loser in the conflict. Despite earlier expectations of a difficult summit, Macron managed to secure a joint declaration of "unwavering support" for Kyiv and new defense capacities. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni acknowledged Macron's "excellent job" in a complex moment.
However, the article notes that there is no guarantee these gains will be permanent, given Trump's history of changing positions. French diplomats had to navigate potential disruptions, including Trump's prior threats of tariffs on French wine. Ultimately, the G7 also agreed on a commitment to reduce dependency on Chinese rare earths by 2030, which Macron claimed as a success.