Trump arrives at G7, hails Iran deal and hints at Ukraine peace ambitions
Al Jazeera Staff
U.S. President Donald Trump praised a preliminary deal to end the war with Iran and said he would seek to end conflicts in Ukraine and Lebanon as he attended the G7 summit in France. He arrived in Evian-les-Bains amid growing wariness from partners over his foreign policy moves, but expressed confidence after the Iran ceasefire announcement.
U.S. President Donald Trump praised a preliminary deal to end the war with Iran and said he would seek to end conflicts in Ukraine and Lebanon as he attended the Group of Seven (G7) summit in France.
The American leader arrived in Evian-les-Bains on Monday as G7 partners grew increasingly wary of Washington's unpredictable foreign policy moves. Many nations expressed relief at a potential end to the Iran conflict, but the mood was tempered by fresh concerns: U.S. threats to impose tariffs on France, skeptical remarks about NATO and military aid, warnings on immigration, and efforts to deepen political divisions.
Shortly after arriving, Trump met with host President Emmanuel Macron. He boasted about the preliminary ceasefire deal with Iran announced Sunday, saying the United States had turned a new page in relations with its longtime adversary.
“I think a lot of great things are about to happen in the Middle East right now, and it is very important that oil prices are falling sharply and stock markets are soaring like a rocket today,” Trump said. “The Iran deal we achieved will bring many successes to the world.”
With a signed accord ending the conflict, Trump appeared confident entering talks with G7 leaders—some of whom had sharply criticized his handling of the war launched by the U.S. and Israel in late February. He had clashed with Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for failing to consult them before the decision to go to war. Trump hit back by accusing NATO allies of not joining the U.S. military campaign.
According to multiple sources, France, Britain, and Germany offered to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, which under the deal Iran would reopen. But Trump told Macron that some ships had already passed through without paying fees. “I don't think we need much help” because the strait “will be open,” he said, adding: “But I think it's not bad to have one or two ships from a few countries stationed here. France would be a great country to do that.”
After the Iran deal, Trump said he would turn to seeking peace between Ukraine and Russia and end fighting in Lebanon. “We had a very good exchange yesterday with President Zelenskyy and President Putin, and I think maybe we can do something. I really do. I think both are ready,” he said.
An unnamed Ukrainian official told the Associated Press that President Zelenskyy proposed meeting Putin alongside Trump and European leaders at the G7, but the Kremlin did not respond. Putin is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes; France, as an ICC member, is obligated to arrest him. The U.S. and Russia both oppose the court.
The fallout from wars in Eastern Europe and the Middle East is just one of many issues G7 leaders will discuss at the summit through Wednesday. They will also seek common ground on global economic imbalances, artificial intelligence, and China's dominance—and control—over the rare-earth market used to produce everyday electronic devices.
