G7 leaders have backed increased pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine, after US President Donald Trump signalled a shift towards a tougher line against Moscow at the group's summit in France.
The three-day meeting in the French town of Evian, which concluded on Wednesday, focused on Trump’s deal to end the war with Iran and efforts to pressure Russia into brokering peace with Ukraine through ramped-up sanctions.
There was a breakthrough on the Middle East, with Trump signing a memorandum of understanding meant to bring the conflict with Tehran to a close.
Posting on X, French President Emmanuel Macron wrote: "President Trump signed tonight at Versailles the agreement between Iran and the United States. This agreement paves the way for lasting peace and allows the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz."
The leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States also agreed on a final statement that included references to the Ukraine war – in a contrast to last year’s meeting, when Trump walked out early.
Ukraine pressure
“It was tough work but worth it,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, describing the statement as a “success”.
As well as increasing supplies of air defence equipment to Ukraine, the leaders agreed to “increase the pressure on the Russian war economy” by strengthening sanctions, including on Moscow’s fossil fuel revenues, the statement said.
A “very deep change in the US approach” towards Ukraine had taken place, Macron said, adding that Trump had understood that Russian President Vladimir Putin was not interested in peace talks. “President Trump, like all of us, simply acknowledged that there was no serious willingness on Russia’s part today to discuss peace,” Macron said.
On Ukraine, there was “a lot of convergence, which is not always obvious” and there was “no friction or divergence”, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said.
Throughout the summit, which was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump took a harder line against Moscow, saying Russia had to seek a deal and deploring the casualties on both sides.
G7 leaders also agreed to grant licences for Ukraine-based companies to produce long-range missiles and air defence systems, a diplomatic source said.
In his final news conference, Trump hailed his talks with Zelensky in Evian and a recent phone conversation with Putin. “They both want to do something, they just don’t know how to do it,” Trump said.
AI talks
At a lunch with tech leaders on Wednesday, some European G7 members pushed for more security to protect minors in the fast-changing digital sphere.
Sam Altman, head of artificial intelligence giant OpenAI, Anthropic chief Dario Amodei, the founder of Google’s AI lab DeepMind, Demis Hassabis, and Arthur Mensch, of their French rival Mistral AI, all attended.
G7 leaders called on tech firms “to develop and apply technology and systems that ensure safe, secure and age-appropriate experiences”, a joint statement said.
Macron called for “better regulation” of AI, warning of the risk of “non-cooperation between democracies”. The discussion also included responsibility for the companies building the technology.
Altman warned the leaders “not to cede your responsibilities” over AI.
Versailles banquet
Trump was the centre of attention throughout his stay in the lakeside resort. French officials were relieved that the unpredictable US president stayed for the entire event and signed on to the G7 communique.
In an unusual gesture, Macron invited Trump to dinner at the Palace of Versailles outside Paris after the summit ended.
Macron and his wife Brigitte welcomed Trump to the lavish former royal residence on Wednesday evening, after Trump said Versailles had “a lot of gold, I want to check it out”.
Macron arranged a private tour for Trump that included the Hall of Mirrors, a gallery devoted to the American War of Independence and a concert in the Royal Chapel.
At the candlelit dinner, Trump put his signature to the memorandum of understanding meant to end the Middle East war, as Macron and other guests applauded, a video posted by a Trump aide showed.
The dinner was attended by around 30 guests, including luxury conglomerate LVMH chief Bernard Arnault and TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanne.
Macron, under pressure to show he was not fawning over Trump, earlier said the evening was not a “gala” dinner.
Trump stayed for around three hours at the palace, where he also had a phone conversation involving Macron and Zelensky, French officials said.
Trump emphasised that he was ready to resume military action if Tehran did not abide by its obligations. “If they don’t behave, we’ll go right back to dropping bombs right smack in the middle of their head,” Trump said.
While Macron was formally chairing the summit, the US president made clear who he believed was in charge as he arrived for the third and final day.
“I’m the boss,” Trump said before taking his seat.
(with newswires)
.jpeg?w=600)
