Alberta: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the G7 Summit today with a critical agenda: to galvanize further international backing against Russian aggression. However, his mission for robust support was significantly dampened by the unexpected early departure of U.S. President Donald Trump, who cited escalating tensions in the Middle East as his immediate priority. This dramatic turn of events underscored a deeper struggle for unity among the world's wealthiest nations grappling with multiple global crises.
President Zelenskyy's schedule included a pivotal meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and a dedicated G7 working breakfast on "A Strong and Sovereign Ukraine," accompanied by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. His planned discussions revolved around continued military and financial aid, intensified sanctions against Russia, and future funding for Ukraine's monumental reconstruction efforts. Despite Trump's early exit, European Union diplomats emphasized that the remaining G7 members were determined to proceed with their meetings with Zelenskyy. Canada, a staunch ally, confirmed it would provide an additional C$2 billion in aid to Ukraine.
However, the shadow of Trump's departure and his renewed focus on the Israel-Iran conflict inevitably diverted some attention. Zelenskyy himself, in a Telegram post, acknowledged that "diplomacy is now in a state of crisis," urging leaders to pressure Trump "to use his real influence" to end the war, recognizing America's "broadest global interests." He had initially hoped for a bilateral meeting with Trump to discuss a potential U.S. defense package for Ukraine, a prospect now rendered uncertain.
President Trump's decision to leave the G7 Summit a full day ahead of schedule sent ripples of speculation through the diplomatic corps. He stated his immediate return to Washington was imperative due to the rapidly deteriorating situation between Iran and Israel. While departing, Trump issued a stark warning for Tehran to evacuate and reiterated his demand for Iran's "unconditional surrender," underscoring his administration's heightened focus on the Middle East.
This move, however, drew criticism from some European leaders, with French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly suggesting that Trump's departure might be a positive sign for a potential Iran-Israel ceasefire – a notion Trump publicly refuted, claiming his reasons were "much bigger."
The abrupt exit also highlighted existing divisions within the G7. Trump has consistently expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and imposed tariffs on many allied nations. His prior remarks, suggesting that Russia's expulsion from the G8 (now G7) in 2014 was a "mistake" that destabilized the world, further complicated efforts to present a united front on Ukraine.
Despite Trump's early departure and the evident strains, the G7 leaders did manage to achieve some agreements. They issued a joint statement on the Israel-Iran conflict, calling for de-escalation and labeling Iran as a "principal source of regional instability." The U.S. and UK also finalized a bilateral trade deal during the summit. However, the absence of Trump, particularly for Tuesday's sessions on Ukraine and other trade matters, left many draft documents, including those on migration, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals, unapproved by the U.S., raising questions about their ultimate implementation.
As the summit concludes, the G7 faces a challenging landscape, attempting to project unity while navigating internal ideological fissures and a rapidly evolving global security environment. The focus now shifts to how the remaining leaders will collectively address the multifaceted crises, especially with the U.S. prioritizing the Middle East and its relationship with key allies under renewed strain.