Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
- Leaders from the world’s top seven industrialized nations (G7) are wrapping up their meeting in Evian-les-Bains, France on Wednesday
- Wednesday’s sessions focus on economic growth and digital security
- US President Trump has said he would do ‘whatever I can’ to help end the Russia-Ukraine war
- Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined talks with European leaders, who pointed out recent Ukrainian battlefield gains to Trump
Read below for the latest headlines, videos and analyses on the G7 summit from Wednesday, June 17, Tuesday, June 16 and Monday, June 15.
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Skip next section Global economy, AI risks on the agenda for last day of G7 summit06/17/2026June 17, 2026
Global economy, AI risks on the agenda for last day of G7 summit
The meeting of leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized democracies will on Wednesday focus on ways to support sustainable economic growth as well as the security risks posed by Artificial Intelligence, as the three-day gathering comes to a close.
The discussions come amid concern about the fallout from the war in Iran, which has greatly strained the global economy.
Talks are also likely to center on US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, which have negatively impacted many of Washington’s G7 partners.
The leaders are expected to look at measures to enhance growth, strengthen trade ties and ensure fair competition in an increasingly unstable global environment.
Sam Altman, the head of AI giant OpenAI, Anthropic chief Dario Amodei and European rival Mistral’s Arthur Mensch will join the G7 leaders for lunch.
The first full day of the summit on Tuesday was given over to discussions about ways to end Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East.
The meeting has been hosted by France in the spa town of Evian-les-Bains.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FXEySkip next section Trump to stay on for Versailles dinner amid real gold06/17/2026June 17, 2026
Trump to stay on for Versailles dinner amid real gold
US President Donald Trump, who has been a central figure at the G7 summit, will be prolonging his stay in France for a dinner in the famous Palace of Versailles hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The dinner is to be held in honor of the 250th anniversary of US independence.
Although the two leaders have not always had smooth relations, Macron has been at pains to placate the US leader during the summit.
Trump, whose predilection for gold has been made apparent by his gilded redecoration of the Oval Office, appears to have been partly attracted by the idea of dining amid the real McCoy.
“I’m a fan of beautiful places, and I was leaving in the afternoon, and then the French president who happens to be a very nice man, invited me to dinner at Versailles,” Trump said.
“And Versailles is not gold leaf — Versailles is the real deal. And I said I’d like to do it,” he added.
The palace was the residence of French kings from the time of Louis XIV to Louis XVI, the country’s last monarch, who was executed during the French Revolution.
The palace is a regular venue for hosting heads of state and foreign dignitaries.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FXAvSkip next section READ: G7 vows new Russia sanctions amid new Ukraine optimism06/17/2026June 17, 2026
READ: G7 vows new Russia sanctions amid new Ukraine optimism
G7 leaders have agreed to step up the pressure on Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
They said that the moment was right for additional measures hitting Russia’s oil and gas sector, with a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in sight after a preliminary deal was struck by the US and Iran.
A reopening of the strait, a vital transport route for Middle East oil and gas that has been virtually closed during the Iran war, would lessen the reliance of several countries on Russian hydrocarbons.
DW looks at the growing optimism in the West that Russia’s war on Ukraine could be brought to an end in the foreseeable future here.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FX8eSkip next section Russia’s Putin to host counter-summit06/17/2026June 17, 2026
Russia’s Putin to host counter-summit
As the G7 meeting in France comes to a close, Russian President Vladimir Putin is planning to host leaders from Southeast Asia at a two-day Russia-ASEAN summit.
The meeting in the central Russian city of Kazan comes as Russia seeks to boost ties with other world regions after being shunned by most of the West over its invasion of Ukraine.
The meeting is to be attended by the leaders and officials of Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia,Singapore, Myanmar and Laos.
According to Putin’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, the summit will allow the leaders to exchange views on regional and global political issues, while offering the chance to boost cooperation in a number of fields.
Russia established contact with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) 35 years ago and has cultivated relations with it since then.
The association consists of 11 countries from the region.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FX6ASkip next section Canada’s Carney invites Indian counterpart Modi for state visit06/17/2026June 17, 2026
Canada’s Carney invites Indian counterpart Modi for state visit
Wesley Dockery Editor
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Canada for an official visit later this year, Carney’s office said after the two leaders met on the sidelines of the G7 summit.
Canada’s spy agency last year said India and China were the main perpetrators of foreign meddling and transnational repression in Canada.
But Ottawa and New Delhi reset relations after Carney visited India earlier this year, where he and Modi struck a new energy partnership and agreed to pursue a free trade agreement.
The Canadian readout of the meeting on Tuesday said that Carney and Modi agreed to launch negotiations on an information agreement to strengthen the exchange of classified defense and security information.
“In less than a year, it is our fourth meeting, indicating our commitment to strong India-Canada ties. We reviewed the full range of relations between our nations, notably the ground covered since we last met,” Modi said on X after meeting with Carney.
The pair discussed trade, economy, energy, technology and people-to-people ties, he said.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FWnySkip next section Germany’s Merz optimistic about Trump, Ukraine06/16/2026June 16, 2026
Germany’s Merz optimistic about Trump, Ukraine
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday expressed optimism about US President Donald Trump and the future of Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters in Evian, Merz said he had, “seen Trump in a cooperative mood.”
The German politician added, “I have a certain optimism that Europeans and Americans [will] do everything to end this war.”
Merz, who earlier in the day went on the charm offensive by gifting Trump a personalized Germany World Cup jersey, also noted that the US president had no problem with European nations being involved in future peace talks between Ukraine and aggressor Russia.
On Monday, Merz had pointed out that “Ukraine is now in a new position of strength,” and that the G7 summit was, “taking place at a particularly turbulent time in global politics.”
“The situation,” he said, “presents us with challenges. But it also offers some opportunities.”
On Tuesday, he lauded the “great transatlantic and European unity” that had characterized talks between leaders.
In April, Merz had drawn Trump’s ire by saying the US had been “humiliated” and lacked a strategy in the Iran conflict.
A week later, the Trump administration announced the withdrawal of thousands of US troops from Germany, while claiming the move was unrelated to Merz’s comments.
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https://p.dw.com/p/5FWYVSkip next section Trump at G7 signals shift away from Iran toward Ukraine war06/16/2026June 16, 2026
Trump at G7 signals shift away from Iran toward Ukraine war
US President Trump, riding high on news of a potential peace agreement with Iran, announced his intention to focus on ending the war in Ukraine next — although he gave little insight as to how he would do that.
Trump, said he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had conducted a “very good” meeting prior to making the statement.
Without mentioning how he would pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to change course and negotiate a settlement to end the war of aggression he launched against his neighbor on February 24, 2022, Trump said, “I’m gonna do whatever I can” to stop the killing.
“Look,” said Trump, “Russia should make a deal.”
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Zelenskyy, invited to the summit by host Emmanuel Macron, joined European leaders in lobbying Trump to do more to influence Putin, pointing out that Ukraine had again gained ground and continues to call for a negotiated end to the conflict.
To drive the point of the Kremlin’s desperation home, Trump was shown images of damage caused to a historically important Kyiv monastery in a recent Russian drone attack.
Zelenskyy is seeking further EU support to bolster his country’s air defenses as well as calling on world leaders to put additional sanctions on Russia as a means of forcing Putin to the negotiating table.
Trump, who relaxed US sanctions on Russian oil in March as the US war in Iran led to the Islamic Republic predictably closing the Strait of Hormuz — choking off global oil supplies and sending prices soaring — suggested Tuesday that he may reinstate the sanctions.
Here, too, Trump was short on detail and avoided any commitment regarding new sanctions on Moscow.
Asked about the issue of letting Russia’s waivers lapse, Trump simply said: “Soon we’ll be able to do that because the oil is now flowing. We’re in a position to do that soon.”
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https://p.dw.com/p/5FWX1Skip next section G7 leaders call for containment of deadly Ebola outbreak06/16/2026June 16, 2026
G7 leaders call for containment of deadly Ebola outbreak
G7 leaders meeting in France called for a strong and coordinated response to the current Ebola outbreak in the Congo, urging nations to dedicate resources to ensure the virus remains contained to as small an area as possible.
“We continue to closely monitor the situation as it evolves, along with our partners, to ensure that this dangerous virus does not spread, including across borders,” read a Tuesday statement.
The press release followed a Red Cross statement making clear that the current outbreak has not yet peaked and that medical providers have a long battle ahead.
“We are afraid this could last one year before we can end this disease peak,” said Bruno Michon on behalf of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Speaking to reporters in Geneva, Michon described a crisis of confidence that is making it difficult to combat the outbreak, first detected in mid-May.
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https://p.dw.com/p/5FWLwSkip next section ‘Tide is turning for Ukraine’ — EU’s von der Leyen06/16/2026June 16, 2026
‘Tide is turning for Ukraine’ — EU’s von der Leyen
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, says Ukraine’s situation is improving amid the ongoing full-scale invasion by Russia.
Speaking after a meeting at the G7 summit where leaders agreed to increase pressure on Russia, von der Leyen wrote on X that the “tide is turning for Ukraine.”
“The situation in 2026 is very different from 2025. Ukraine is bravely holding the frontline. Russia’s fatigue is openly showing,” she wrote.
It was time to “double down on our support,” she wrote.
US President Donald Trump, who also attended the meeting, said the US would soon be able to reimpose sanctions on Russian oil, some of which were eased amid oil shortages caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the Iran war.
“Soon we will be able to do that as the oil is now flowing” through the strait after a yet-to-be-signed framework peace deal was struck with Iran, he said.
Trump has in the past shown some reluctance to use economic measures to try and starve funding for Russia’s war machine.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FW0LSkip next section How Europeans are dealing with Trump and the key questions for Ukraine — DW’s Brussels Bureau Chief06/16/2026June 16, 2026
How Europeans are dealing with Trump and the key questions for Ukraine — DW’s Brussels Bureau Chief
Katharina Kroll in Evian-les-Bains
This was an extremely important meeting for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and for Ukraine – with the G7 leaders here in the picturesque resort town of Evian this morning.
The Europeans had come very well prepared for this meeting and had coordinated closely with the Ukrainian president. The key questions were clear: How much would US President Donald Trump support efforts to increase pressure on Russia to finally enter serious peace negotiations? And how much would Trump acknowledge that there can be no peace deal without the Europeans?
The G7 agreed that Russia is under heavy pressure and that Ukraine’s situation has clearly improved. That’s what we are hearing here from German government sources.
And Europe reportedly presented a very united front: “The dynamics have changed, Ukraine is in a position of strength. Russia cannot win the war and Russia is under pressure. In that respect, we have observed a change in tone,” a source told DW.
After the meeting with Zelenskyy and the other G7 leaders, Trump said: “Russia should make a deal.” At the very least, this is seems to be a positive sign.
Earlier, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had presented a delayed birthday gift to the most important man at the table. Just in time for the FIFA World Cup, a German national team shirt with the number 47 on the back. Trump, the 47th President of the United States of America, had celebrated his 80th birthday on Sunday. Efforts on all levels are visible — all aimed at keeping the unpredictable US president in a good mood.
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https://p.dw.com/p/5FVlhSkip next section G7 leaders hold ‘very fruitful’ talks on Ukraine — diplomat06/16/2026June 16, 2026
G7 leaders hold ‘very fruitful’ talks on Ukraine — diplomat
G7 leaders have agreed during “very fruitful” talks over Ukraine to put more pressure on Russia amid its full-scale invasion of its neighbor, according to a French diplomat cited by several news agencies.
The diplomat said the leaders, including US President Donald Trump, had agreed to use sanctions on Russia’s oil and natural gas sectors to up the pressure on Moscow.
According to the diplomat, the leaders also agreed on a common position to support Ukraine by providing additional air defense capabilities and other means of protection.
European countries are now the biggest providers of military aid to Ukraine since the US under Trump reduced direct arms support.
The meeting was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has often called for more air defense equipment to combat massive aerial attacks from Russia, often targeting civilian infrastructure.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FVdMSkip next section ‘All hell will rain down’ on Iran if it gets nuclear weapon — Trump06/16/2026June 16, 2026
‘All hell will rain down’ on Iran if it gets nuclear weapon — Trump
US President Donald Trump has said that a framework peace deal in the works with Iran focused on preventing the country from gaining a nuclear weapon, threatening “all hell” would rain down on it if it did.
“The only thing that really matters to me is Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, and it says it loud and clear,” he told reporters at the G7 summit in France.
The framework agreement struck by the US and Iran on Sunday reportedly extends the current ceasefire between the sides for 60 days to allow peace negotiations to take place.
The Iranian state-run Tasnim news agency has cited Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as saying another round of talks, to be concluded within those 60 days, will begin after the deal is signed on Friday in Switzerland.
Following talks with the emir of Qatar at the summit, Trump also said the US was “not investing any money” in Iran.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FVKQSkip next section ‘Russia should make a deal’ — Trump at G7 summit06/16/2026June 16, 2026
‘Russia should make a deal’ — Trump at G7 summit
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that “Russia should make a deal” to end its war against Ukraine.
The US leader also said he was going to do “whatever I can” on Ukraine.
He made the comment to reporters after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the G7 summit in France, saying more talks were planned later in the day.
European leaders are trying to persuade Trump to give more support to Kyiv as it fights Russia’s full-scale invasion, launched in February 2022.
Trump has in the past voiced severe criticism of Zelenkskyy.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FVGuSkip next section Merz gives Trump a Germany football jersey06/16/2026June 16, 2026
Merz gives Trump a Germany football jersey
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has given US President Donald Trump a Germany football jersey as a present upon the latter’s (late) arrival at the first meeting of the day on Tuesday.
The jersey bears Trump’s last name and the number 47 — Trump is the 47th president of the US.
In a post on X, Merz published photos of the handover, wishing Trump “a happy belated 80th birthday.”
Trump celebrated his birthday on Sunday.
European leaders as a whole are likely to try to use any means possible to bring the US leader on side amid differences over Ukraine and Iran.
Germany has started its World Cup campaign in the US with a 7-1 victory against newcomer Curacao in Houston.
https://p.dw.com/p/5FUOnSkip next section What’s happening behind the scenes in Evian-les-Bains? DW’s chief political editor gives us a glimpse06/16/2026June 16, 2026
What’s happening behind the scenes in Evian-les-Bains? DW’s chief political editor gives us a glimpse
Michaela Kuefner Evian-les-Bains, France
French President Emmanuel Macron met Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the gate to walk him to the G7 venue in Evian. A friendly hug and then Macron kept stopping along the long garden path, as if to prepare Zelenskyy on what to expect. It seemed awkward, with Macron having one hand in his pocket as if casually mansplaining the world to the Ukrainian president, himsely visibly strained by four years of war against Russia’s aggression.
Inside the G7 meeting room, more than half an hour passed with leaders from Germany, the UK, Japan, Canada, Italy and the EU laughing and chatting as if at a school reunion while they waited for Macron, Trump and Zelenskyy.
Clearly, the Italian prime minister was having the most fun, cracking jokes, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz checked his watch. There was a professional focus by the leaders on appearing like they were not waiting, while in fact they certainly were — for Zelenskyy and Macron to conclude their bilateral chat, and for US President Donald Trump to simply show up.
This first session on Ukraine is an important gathering for Kyiv and its E3 allies to pitch their preferred route toward meaningful peace talks.
Germany, France, Britain and Ukraine tabled “five conditions for a just and lasting peace” that would entail:
- An immediate ceasefire
- The current line of contact as a starting point for territorial talks
- Security guarantees
- A continuation of the freezing of Russian assets
- A say for European and NATO countries if any of their security interests are impacted by the negotiations
It is unlikely that Trump will openly agree to preconditions, let alone sign up to them. But this is the best shot Ukraine and its allies have to convince Trump that Europe being at peace talks is the only chance to achieve an agreement that can stand the test of political reality.
The current state of the framework agreement on Iran suggests that this is not a priority for the US at this moment in time.
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