Key facts
- G7 leaders emerged from talks with U.S. President Donald Trump with optimism regarding transatlantic relations.
- Trump indicated a willingness to increase pressure on Russia to resolve the war in Ukraine.
- A potential agreement involves Trump backing Europe on Ukraine in exchange for assistance with the Strait of Hormuz and his Iran deal.
- The U.S. will reimpose sanctions on Russia's oil sector.
- Trump sought European support for demining the Strait of Hormuz and for his Iran deal.
- G7 leaders signaled conditional support for Trump's initiatives.
Group of Seven leaders gathered in Évian-les-Bains, France, with initial concerns about potential friction with U.S. President Donald Trump concerning Iran and the war in Ukraine. However, the first day of talks concluded with a sense of unexpected optimism among EU diplomats regarding the relationship with the White House and the upcoming NATO summit.
This shift is attributed to Trump's apparent willingness to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict in Ukraine. Simultaneously, Trump appears to be seeking European assistance in stabilizing a framework ceasefire agreement with Iran. A potential deal is emerging where Trump would support Europe's stance on Ukraine in exchange for their help in securing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway whose closure during past conflicts with Iran significantly impacted energy prices.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz conveyed a sense of optimism about the discussions, both formal and informal, with the U.S. president. While diplomats cautioned against excessive optimism, noting Trump's past reversals on pro-Ukraine statements, they acknowledged the positive development in transatlantic relations despite individual disagreements between Trump and other G7 leaders.
Earlier, Trump had caused anxiety by suggesting that a pact with Tehran would allow him to focus on a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Concerns that the U.S. president might undermine international efforts to pressure Moscow, coupled with criticism of his approach to the Iran war and personal disputes with leaders like U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, had created tension. His phone call with Putin further fueled fears that he might revert to pressuring Ukraine to cede territory.
However, at the summit, Trump surprised attendees by announcing that the U.S. would reimpose sanctions on Russia's oil sector, stating, "Russia has to make a deal."
This overture on Ukraine, characteristic of Trump's negotiation style, comes with conditions. According to senior diplomats, Trump urged G7 counterparts to support his Iran deal and assist in demining the Strait of Hormuz before Vice President JD Vance finalizes the ceasefire agreement with Tehran. While Trump downplayed the need for European help publicly, he sought verbal and material support behind closed doors, with one diplomat noting his need for allies' capacities to clear mines in Hormuz.
In return, "there's got to be some give on Ukraine," the diplomat added, with a strong expectation that Trump would "stand by Ukraine."
G7 leaders indicated their readiness to assist, with French President Macron stating that mine-clearing ship deployment would require a request from the U.S., Iran, and Oman. The positive outcome was partly due to G7 leaders' efforts to engage Trump, including a dinner invitation to Versailles by Macron and a gift of a custom football jersey from Germany's Merz. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also presented an image of a burning cathedral struck by a Russian drone attack. These diplomatic efforts aim to keep Trump aligned with Western powers ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.