G7 summit opens in France with Ukraine, Middle East on agenda
Leaders of the Group of Seven nations opened their annual summit in the French resort town of Evian on Tuesday with high-level talks on the war in Ukraine and escalating tensions in the Middle East, as host France welcomed an expanded roster of global leaders including Indian and Brazilian heads of state.
The Group of Seven leaders from France, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States convened in Evian on Tuesday for the annual summit's opening sessions dedicated to the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined the discussions, which also included US President Donald Trump — who had arrived in France on Monday — and top European Union officials.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa participated in the Ukraine deliberations, according to diplomatic sources. The high-level meeting marked the first major international gathering for the leaders since recent escalations in multiple conflict zones.
Expanded agenda covers AI and global economy
Later sessions throughout the summit will address developments across the Middle East alongside economic growth initiatives and artificial intelligence governance. The agenda reflects mounting international concern over regional stability and the need for coordinated economic policy among the world's leading industrialized democracies.
Gulf and emerging economy leaders join talks
Beyond the core G7 membership, French hosts invited leaders from several emerging economies and strategic partners to participate in extended sessions. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and the heads of state from South Korea, Kenya, and Egypt are expected to attend portions of the summit.
Gulf state representation will include Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, signaling increased engagement between the industrialized West and energy-rich Arab nations. Their participation highlights the summit's broadening focus on energy security and regional stability in the Middle East.
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