G7 summit begins, with Iran and Ukraine dominating agenda
Trump arrived in France the day after his 80th birthday celebration at the White House Image: Isabel Infantes/PA Images/picture alliance For a while, a quiet
Trump arrived in France the day after his 80th birthday celebration at the White House Image: Isabel Infantes/PA Images/picture alliance For a while, a quiet uncertainty hung over this summit - would he actually come? In the end, Donald Trump showed up right on time. The US president arrived punctually at the Hotel Royal ahead of the G7 summit. Fresh from an extravagant 80th birthday celebration, Trump appeared relaxed as he briefly addressed waiting cameras before disappearing inside. As this year's G7 summit officially opens Wednesday evening, the agenda is dense. One key question will be how Trump responds to a new European initiative - led by Germany, France and the United Kingdom - to revive peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, with both the United States and Europe at the table.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to join G7 leaders on Tuesday morning, Is there a momentum for a new approach? Trump was greeted by host Emmanuel Macron Image: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo/picture alliance As G7 leaders arrive in Evian, EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg have formally launched accession talks with Ukraine. This marks a key milestone for Kyiv after more than two years of delays due to Hungary's blockade. "Today we are taking a historic step towards the integration of Ukraine into the European Union," said European Council President Antonio Costa in Evian.
"This is a huge step forward," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. "Kyiv has delivered and now the EU must deliver too." Overall, Ukraine is currently seen as being in a strong position. "Ukraine is holding the front line and even partially regaining territory," von der Leyen said. "On the other hand, Russia is feeling the strain and pressure. Our sanctions are biting and cutting deep." Maintaining that pressure through continued support for Ukraine and additional sanctions on Russia remains the core strategy of the Europeans and their partners, with the aim of pushing President Vladimir Putin towards meaningful peace negotiations.
The question now here in Evian is what Trump will bring to the table. G7 leaders are expected to listen closely to his account of a recent phone call with Putin, who reportedly congratulated him on his birthday just a day earlier.
The BriefWire