G7 kicks off in France with Ukraine and Iran in focus: President Trump to renew oil sanctions against Russia

The G7 kicked off today in Evian, in the Lake Geneva region of France bordering Switzerland, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also present alongside G7 leaders. President Zelensky held a meeting with US President Donald Trump and once again requested a licence to produce Patriot missiles in Ukraine for an anti-ballistic missile system.

US President Donald Trump held various meetings with leaders on the sidelines and after a eeting with Muhammed bin-Zayed, President Trump told the press that he will renew sanctions against Russian oil after these sanctions were temporarily lifted during the war against Iran.

Qatari and UAE leaders were also present for discussions about Iran and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. A deal between the US and Iran is expected to be signed this Friday in Geneva. India, South Korea, Brazil, Egypt and Kenya were also present.

Among the topics discussed were anti-competitive behaviour in markets and industrial overcapacity, an implied reference to China’s practices in global markets. Other topics included sustainable growth, the Ebola epidemic, protecting children online, the fight against cancer and drug trafficking.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney held meetings with top EU leaders to discuss further cooperation in security and conservation after Canada joined the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE)  initiative. The SAFE initiative is connected to Europe’s ReArm programme and it involves low-interest rate loans to EU member states to purchase European weaponry. Canadian defence companies will now be benefiting from the scheme.

Meanwhile, in a friendly conversation, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told G7 leaders said that she has stopped smoking last month with the light-hearted conversation being recorded.

The G7 countries include the USA, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada and Japan.