G7 Presses for a Voice in Ukraine Peace Talks

Foreign ministers from the G7 are meeting in Paris on Monday and Tuesday to discuss Europe’s role in US efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, as well as how to discourage Washington from resuming military action against Iran. The talks coincide with US-mediated negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv scheduled to begin in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. The G7 includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. European governments worry that the Trump administration could press Ukraine into a settlement favorable to Russia. President Donald Trump has described a major deal as possible and suggested that Ukraine might have “a little bit different shape” afterward. European leaders say they must be included in negotiations and that any settlement must preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said France would participate in the Abu Dhabi talks, and argued that an agreement affecting Europe’s security architecture could not be concluded without Europeans. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to attend both days of the G7 meeting. He has said recent discussions have made progress on security guarantees for Ukraine and the broader European region. Trump envoy Jared Kushner has also discussed developing a wider European security framework. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has questioned proposals to debate such a framework before efforts to end the war. The ministers are also expected to address tensions with Iran. Trump has not ruled out further military strikes, while European governments favor diplomacy. A key concern is restoring normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, an important route for global energy supplies. Trump has said Iranian officials are interested in an agreement, leaving open the possibility of negotiations. The Paris gathering is among the final major diplomatic events of France’s G7 presidency; the United States is due to take over the group’s rotating presidency in 2027.

The article reports concern among NATO allies about President Donald Trump’s proposed agreement with Russia, which he said could address not only the war in Ukraine but also Europe’s broader security arrangements. Retired Gen. Philip Breedlove, a former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, argues that Russian President Vladimir Putin has a long-standing plan to divide global influence among Russia, China and the United States. In Breedlove’s description, China would dominate the Far East, Russia would control Europe, and the United States would hold sway over the Western Hemisphere. He expects European countries to resist such an arrangement and says they are anxious about a plan that could determine their future without their participation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy likewise cautioned against a new version of the 1945 Yalta Conference, which helped shape postwar Europe and preceded Soviet domination of Eastern Europe. He said Ukraine does not want to be divided by Russia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Europe’s postwar security architecture has been repeatedly discussed in negotiations, while emphasizing that the parties must first end the conflict. Breedlove questioned whether Ukraine, the European Union and NATO would accept a wider deal negotiated without them. He reiterated the principle that nothing about Ukraine should be decided without Ukraine, and argued that European institutions are central to any settlement. The report says tensions also appeared to rise after Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a rare 90-minute meeting, but the supplied article ends before explaining its significance.

G7 foreign ministers are meeting in Paris for two days of talks, where European governments are expected to urge the United States to support a fair settlement to Russia’s war against Ukraine and avoid further military action against Iran. The meeting brings together ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is approaching its fifth anniversary, while Washington has not ruled out additional strikes on Iran. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to attend both days, unlike at the ministers’ previous meeting in March; the trip is his first abroad since Republicans lost the US midterm elections. The meeting coincides with US-mediated talks between Moscow and Kyiv in Abu Dhabi. European officials are concerned that Ukraine could be pressured into accepting unfavorable terms. France’s foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, said Europeans would be represented at the talks. The article also notes concerns over President Donald Trump’s suggestion of a broad deal with Russia and envoy Jared Kushner’s proposal for a wider European security architecture, which has previously met European skepticism. On Iran, European governments want a resolution and the restoration of normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has left open the possibility of new strikes, including at a suspected nuclear site that Tehran says is not a nuclear facility. Other events around the ministerial include a French-hosted donor conference to raise money to repair the protective dome over the Chernobyl reactor, damaged in a Russian strike. About 500 million euros is needed, and slightly more than half has been raised. Marseille, the meeting’s originally planned location, will host the launch of a 14-port network focused on combating drug trafficking. Rubio declined to comment directly on the Republican midterm defeat and said he was not concerned about protests in France.