G7 ministers meet as Europe seeks greater say in Ukraine peace talks

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations are convening in Paris on Monday and Tuesday to discuss methods to integrate Europe into US efforts to resolve Russia's war in Ukraine, as well as to persuade Washington against recommencing military actions against Iran. The gathering will include representatives from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States.

The timing of this meeting aligns with US-mediated talks in Abu Dhabi, where Moscow and Kyiv are set to begin negotiations on Tuesday. European governments are apprehensive that the US might be steering Ukraine towards a settlement that favors Russia. In the lead-up to the Abu Dhabi talks, US President Donald Trump stated that a substantial deal was imminent, implying that Ukraine could emerge with a significantly altered territorial configuration. Trump also mentioned that the deal would involve all of Europe.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot affirmed that Europeans would be represented and that France would participate in the Abu Dhabi talks. He emphasized that no deal impacting European security architecture could be concluded without the involvement of European nations. Attention will also be focused on US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who will attend both days of the G7 meeting, unlike his previous attendance at only one day of a similar event.

The discussions are expected to cover US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's assertions about recent progress on security guarantees for Ukraine and the broader European region. Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and envoy, has also indicated that the US is working towards a broader European security framework.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed skepticism about proposals for a new European security framework, suggesting that such debates should occur after efforts to end the war. The G7 ministers are also expected to address US tensions with Iran, as Trump has not ruled out additional military strikes against the country, particularly following the US midterm elections. Iran denies that Pickaxe Mountain, a site considered by Washington for potential strikes, is a nuclear facility.

European governments are advocating for a diplomatic resolution rather than a resumption of military action. They are particularly concerned about restoring normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for international energy supplies. Trump recently stated that Iranian officials were open to reaching an agreement, suggesting that negotiations remain a possibility.

This meeting is among the final significant diplomatic events during France's presidency of the G7. The United States is slated to assume the rotating presidency of the group in 2027.