WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump is set to hold talks with several Middle Eastern leaders and participate in a working session with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during next week’s Group of Seven (G7) summit in France, according to senior American officials.
Trump is due to arrive in the French city of Evian on Monday for the June 15-17 summit, where leaders are expected to address a range of pressing international issues, including the war in Ukraine, efforts to de-escalate the Israel-Iran conflict, trade disputes, artificial intelligence, energy security and the resilience of critical supply chains.
On Tuesday, the US president will take part in a session with Zelensky and fellow G7 leaders as Kyiv seeks to maintain military and financial backing from its Western partners. Although no formal one-on-one meeting between Trump and Zelensky has been scheduled, officials said the two leaders could hold discussions on the margins of the summit.
US officials said Russian advances on the battlefield had largely stalled and reiterated Washington’s desire to see the conflict brought to an end as quickly as possible. One senior official described Trump as uniquely positioned to help secure a settlement, though no details were provided.
Relations between Trump and Zelensky have seen periods of strain since Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025, while the administration’s diplomatic efforts regarding Ukraine have increasingly shared the spotlight with developments in the Middle East.
During the summit, Trump is also expected to hold separate bilateral meetings with the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and host nation France. The future of US-Iran diplomacy, aimed at de-escalating tensions following recent Iran-Israel hostilities, is expected to feature prominently in discussions.
Administration officials said talks could also cover the possible role of France and Britain in mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route for global energy supplies affected by the recent conflict.
Economic issues are also expected to receive considerable attention. Trump plans to push for measures aimed at boosting growth, securing critical mineral supply chains, tackling illegal migration and promoting the responsible development of artificial intelligence.
Trade disputes are likely to be another major topic. Senior US officials welcomed France’s decision to include trade imbalances on the summit agenda, reflecting Trump’s continued focus on tariffs and efforts to reshape global trade relationships.
The summit will bring together the leaders of the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. Trump has repeatedly voiced support for Russia’s return to the group, from which Moscow was suspended in 2014 following its annexation of Crimea.
Following the conclusion of the summit, Trump is scheduled to attend a dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday before returning to Washington.
According to the French presidency, the event will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and highlight the historic ties between France and the United States, recalling the 1783 treaty that formally recognised US independence.
