G7 leaders meet in France with Iran deal, Ukraine war high on agenda

TLE DESK: Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations gathered in France on Tuesday with efforts to implement the newly announced US-Iran peace deal and the ongoing war in Ukraine dominating the summit agenda.

French President Emmanuel Macron, hosting the summit in the eastern French city of Evian-les-Bains near the Swiss border, said discussions would focus on ensuring the successful implementation of the agreement reached between Washington and Tehran and addressing security concerns linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

Macron said Tuesday’s working lunch would examine ways to restore maritime security in the strategic waterway, including a possible Franco-British-led naval mission, while also exploring alternative energy transport routes that bypass the strait.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments, is expected to reopen following the formal signing of the US-Iran agreement in Geneva on Friday.

US President Donald Trump, who arrived in France on Monday evening, expressed optimism about the accord.

“The Iran deal will bring a lot of success,” Trump said shortly after his arrival.

The preliminary agreement, digitally endorsed on Monday, is expected to initiate a 60-day period of negotiations covering key issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme, its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and sanctions relief.

Ahead of the summit, the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, joined by Canada, issued a joint statement welcoming the diplomatic breakthrough and urging rapid implementation of the agreement to facilitate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Macron later said France and its partners were prepared to act swiftly to help restore safe navigation through the strait.

Alongside Middle East diplomacy, the war in Ukraine remains a central topic at the summit.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is participating in Tuesday’s first session, titled “Building Peace in Ukraine,” and is expected to hold discussions with several world leaders, including Trump.

European leaders are seeking to persuade Washington to maintain pressure on Moscow while strengthening support for Kyiv. Diplomats said European governments aim to demonstrate that Ukraine remains committed to negotiations while arguing that Russia continues to obstruct meaningful progress toward peace.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine has maintained strong resistance against Russian forces and enhanced its military capabilities.

“Ukraine is holding the front line and even partially regaining territory,” von der Leyen told reporters.

She also argued that Russia’s economy was increasingly strained by international sanctions and the prolonged conflict.

Efforts to revive peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv have stalled in recent months despite renewed diplomatic initiatives.

Trump said he held conversations with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday and believes both leaders remain open to discussing potential pathways toward ending the conflict.

The G7 comprises the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the European Union. Leaders from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Egypt are also attending portions of the summit, particularly discussions related to regional security and Middle East stability.