On the closing day of their summit in Evian in France, yesterday, the leaders of the G7 countries expressed agreement to arm Ukraine, regulate artificial intelligence, and protect minors digitally.
French President Emmanuel Macron, host of the summit, praised the leaders of the “seven countries” showing a unified position after months of “discrepancies” on several issues.
The leaders of Germany, Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom pledged to “increase pressure on Russia’s war economy,” and agreed to “increase the provision of air defense capabilities to Ukraine, additional interceptor systems and missiles, and long-range capabilities.” “Under a license” on Ukrainian territory, long-range missiles and air defense systems will be produced.
Diplomatic sources said on the sidelines of the summit: “Under a license, we will not only produce air defense systems, but also depth-strike capabilities,” referring to long-range missiles.
On the digital level, a consensus has emerged between the United States and other countries on the principle of protecting minors and banning social media platforms for those under fifteen or sixteen years of age.
The United States and European countries in the Group of Seven announced on Wednesday that they will produce, under licenses, long-range missiles and air defense systems on Ukrainian territory, while the issues of regulating artificial intelligence and protecting minors digitally topped the agenda of the summit’s closing day. French President Emmanuel Macron, host of the summit, praised the leaders of the seven countries for showing a unified position after months of “discrepancies” on several issues. The G7 summit will be held from June 15 to 17 in the French resort of Evian-les-Bains overlooking Lake Geneva.
On the digital level, the United States agrees with Germany, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom on the principle of protecting minors and banning social media platforms for those under fifteen or sixteen years of age, and an announcement is expected in this regard. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday a similar measure for those under the age of sixteen, while France, which was a pioneer in this field, is working to pass a similar law.
Washington and the countries of the group intend to intensify their efforts to end the war in Ukraine by increasing pressure on Russia, including imposing tougher sanctions on the oil and gas sectors, and expanding the supply of long-range weapons and air defense systems to Kiev, according to a statement issued by the summit.
The group's leaders said Wednesday they were united in support of Ukraine and its territorial integrity, and agreed to tighten sanctions on Russia, highlighting Kiev's growing influence as it seeks peace talks with Moscow.
The group's leaders (Germany, Canada, the United States, France, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom) pledged to "intensify pressure on Russia's war economy." They agreed to “increase the provision of air defense capabilities to Ukraine, additional systems and interceptor missiles, and long-range capabilities.”
The United States and European countries in the group will produce “under license” on Ukrainian territory long-range missiles and air defense systems, according to what diplomatic sources revealed on the sidelines of the summit on Wednesday. The sources said, as quoted by Agence France-Presse: “We will produce, under license, not only air defense systems, but also depth-strike capabilities,” referring to long-range missiles.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz praised the statement on Ukraine, which supports imposing new sanctions on Russia, and described it as a success that represents a new tone, especially with regard to transatlantic unity. He said: “This is the first time since (US) 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.” He added: “This sets a new tone regarding transatlantic unity and resolve.”
The statement came after what Trump described as a “very good” meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other leaders from the G7, which raised optimism about the possibility of reaching a peace agreement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended the summit hoping to convince Trump that the Ukrainian resistance is achieving results, and that Russia is not in a position to impose the terms of any agreement.
Zelensky said he might meet Trump again on Wednesday. It also reflects how Ukraine has strengthened its position after successful drone incursions weakened Russia's position.
The joint statement and comments from the leaders indicate that Trump has become more receptive to Zelensky's argument after years of skepticism. However, any hopes of forcing Moscow into negotiations to reach an agreement still depend on Trump's commitments. It is not clear whether bilateral talks between Trump and Zelensky will be held again, and it is not yet clear whether Washington will allow exemptions from sanctions restricting Russian oil exports to expire now that Trump has reached an initial agreement with Iran.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters: “There has been a change in the position of the United States and President Trump. “There is a tougher attitude toward Russia, and a more realistic, from our point of view, attitude toward the war on the ground.”
The United States has not ruled out reimposing sanctions on Russian oil shipments soon, after President Trump and the group's leaders took the decision to return the issue of war in Ukraine to the top of their agenda, more than four years after the comprehensive Russian invasion. In recent weeks, the Iranian conflict has overshadowed the Ukraine issue, but after announcing an agreement to end the three-and-a-half-month conflict in the Gulf, Trump said he now wants to focus on Ukraine. In response to a question about whether he would reimpose sanctions on Russia that were eased to help lower oil prices, Trump said restrictions could be reimposed as the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz increases. “We'll be able to do that soon because the oil is flowing now,” Trump told reporters. “We are in a position to do so soon.”
On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin, coinciding with the meeting of the leaders of the major industrialized countries of the Group of Seven countries in France, will host the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the city of Kazan, located on the Volga River, on Wednesday, to participate in the two-day Russia-ASEAN summit, at a time when Moscow is seeking to strengthen its relations with other regions of the world after the collapse of its relations with the West due to the Russian war in Ukraine.
The summit will discuss ways to expand the “strategic partnership” between Russia and ASEAN, which includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor, and Vietnam, according to the Associated Press.
In a welcome message to participants in the business forum, held on the sidelines of the summit, Putin said he was confident that the summit “will create new opportunities to expand trade, investment, and mutually beneficial industrial cooperation, while also strengthening direct dialogue between our business communities.”
Vietnamese President Tu Lam, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manit all confirmed their participation in the summit.
Yuri Ushakov, foreign policy advisor to the Russian President, said before the summit that the meeting aims to exchange views on current regional and international political issues, and deepen cooperation in the fields of politics, trade, security, and investment. He added that the leaders will also discuss ways to enhance humanitarian cooperation. Putin intends to hold a series of bilateral meetings with the participating leaders, in a move aimed at showing that he does not suffer from international isolation. Russia established relations with the Association 35 years ago, and has worked since then to gradually expand these relations.
