European leaders arrived at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, expecting clashes with U.S. President Donald Trump over Ukraine and Iran. Instead, after the first day of talks, officials described a surprisingly upbeat atmosphere and signs that Washington and its European allies were moving closer together.
According to Politico, the emerging outline would see Trump increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to help end the war in Ukraine, while Europe would help the United States with the ceasefire arrangement with Iran and with security in the Strait of Hormuz. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the formal and informal talks gave him “some degree of optimism.” Other European diplomats said the tone improved, while warning that Trump has changed his position on Ukraine before.
The biggest shift came after Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for about 70 minutes. Soon afterward, Trump said the United States would restore sanctions on Russia’s oil sector and declared, “Russia must reach an agreement.” Zelensky said the G7 leaders agreed that Russia is not winning the war and discussed possible new sanctions on Russian oil exports, banking, and military manufacturing.
European officials also said Zelensky showed Trump photos from a recent Russian strike on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra monastery, and one diplomat said the images likely had a positive psychological effect. At the same time, Trump privately asked for European political and material help with mine-clearing in the Strait of Hormuz, while publicly saying the United States would not need much assistance. Canada and Germany have already approved sending mine-clearing ships, and Macron said such a mission would require a U.S. request and agreement from Iran and Oman.
On the Iran track, Trump said the strait would be fully open by Friday and repeated that the deal bars Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Europeans, however, worry the 60-day negotiating window may not produce a durable nuclear deal or address Tehran’s ballistic missile program. Macron said that issue must be part of future talks and added that France, Britain, Italy and the Netherlands could join a Hormuz mission within two or three days of a deal being signed.
