Published on 6/18/2026
Leaders of the Group of Seven countries praised – yesterday, Wednesday – a consensus reached on intensifying pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine, in light of indications that reflect a shift in the position of US President Donald Trump towards taking a tougher stance towards Moscow.
The focus of the three-day meeting of the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States in the French resort of Evian was to discuss the understanding that Trump reached with Iran, and on efforts to pressure Russia to push it to establish peace with Ukraine by tightening sanctions.
Trump gives a boost to the Europeans
Unlike last year’s summit, when Trump left early, the leaders agreed on a final statement that addresses major geopolitical issues, including Ukraine and Russia, which gave impetus to the efforts of European Union leaders to pressure Moscow.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised the joint statement of the Group of Seven major countries in support of Ukraine and in favor of imposing new sanctions on Russia, describing it as a success that represents a new tone, especially with regard to transatlantic unity.
He said on the sidelines of the meeting: “This is the first time – since President Trump took office – that we have issued a joint declaration at the G7 summit, and reached a common language on the major foreign and security policy issues of our time. I consider this a real success.”
In addition to boosting military supplies to Ukraine through air defense equipment more than four years after the start of the war launched by Russia, the leaders agreed to “intensify pressure on the Russian war economy” by tightening sanctions, to include in particular Moscow’s revenues from fossil fuels, according to the statement.
French President Emmanuel Macron also praised a “fundamental change in the American approach” towards Ukraine, and pointed out that Trump realized that Russian President Vladimir Putin was not interested in peace.
Macron said, “President Trump – like all of us – simply acknowledged that today there is no serious desire on the part of Russia to discuss peace.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni spoke of a “great deal of convergence” in positions on Ukraine, noting that there was “no disagreement.”
American militancy
During the summit attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump adopted a tougher stance toward Moscow, saying that Russia must seek to conclude an agreement, expressing his impatience while denouncing the high death toll and wounded on both sides.
G7 leaders also agreed to grant licenses to companies based in Ukraine to produce long-range missiles and air defense systems, a diplomatic source said.
In a press conference held at the conclusion of the summit, Trump praised the conversations he held with Zelensky in Evian, and a recent phone call between him and Putin.
In addition to attempts to increase pressure on Russia, European circles are seeking to support diplomatic efforts with the Kremlin regarding granting broader opportunities for a political settlement of the war in Ukraine.
Diplomatic endeavors with the Kremlin
Yesterday, Wednesday, European Council President Antonio Costa made contact with the Kremlin in an attempt to involve Russian President Vladimir Putin in discussions on how to end the war, according to informed sources.
Bloomberg News reported – from a source who requested anonymity – that Costa’s chief advisor made two phone calls with a senior Russian official close to Putin, with the aim of paving the way for more substantive talks in the future.
“We need – at the right moment – to hold talks with Russia to address our common issues on security,” Costa told reporters last month.
Some European Union countries have proposed the idea of appointing a special envoy to negotiate with Moscow, as the bloc seeks to play a role in securing peace between Ukraine and Russia. But the idea is controversial and risky, as Putin suggested former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who was effectively on the Kremlin’s payroll for decades, through his work for the Russian company Gazprom.
Germany, France and the United Kingdom – the three largest economies in Europe – separately discussed a strategy to involve Putin in peace talks, in coordination with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
European officials see an opportunity to bring Putin to the table as Kremlin forces struggle to advance on the battlefield, Ukraine intensifies its strikes inside Russia, and the economic costs of the war mount.
