G7 foreign ministers meet amid wars in Ukraine and Iran, seeking clarity from a shifting US policy as European allies push for continued support for Kyiv.
VAUX-DE-CERNAY: Foreign ministers from the world’s leading Western democracies are convening in France against a backdrop of two major wars and mounting unease over an unpredictable US foreign policy.
The two-day meeting at a restored abbey southwest of Paris brings together the G7 nations and the European Union. The gathering occurs as the group’s traditional cohesion has frayed since Donald Trump returned to the US presidency.
Allies and adversaries have scrambled to respond to abrupt US policy shifts over the past year. French army chief Thomas Gomart said the US attitude is destabilising the international system for all players.
Underscoring the diplomatic strain, officials have abandoned efforts to craft an agreed final communique to avoid open tensions. A top priority for Washington’s partners will be a debriefing from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Officials said allies hope for clarity on US and Israeli military operations against Iran. They also seek to understand if any meaningful diplomatic channel exists to end that conflict.
Talks will focus on the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed. The closure chokes about a fifth of global oil supplies.
Ministers from Brazil, India, South Korea and Saudi Arabia will also attend the discussions. These key economic heavyweights hold pivotal alignment on global security and energy crises.
European officials fear the US could push Kyiv into an unfavourable peace deal ahead of US midterm elections. Negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine have stalled.
Officials said they will stress to Rubio that such an outcome would be unacceptable. They will argue instead for tougher sanctions on Russia and immediate efforts to prepare Ukraine for another winter of war.
These preparations should include safeguarding Ukraine’s energy sector from Russian attacks. Continuing military support for Kyiv is also deemed essential.
“We will reiterate firm support for Kyiv and for US mediation efforts, stressing the need to maintain strong pressure on Moscow through sanctions,” an Italian diplomatic source said. Ukraine’s foreign minister will attend the talks.
The meeting feeds into French priorities ahead of its G7 leaders’ summit next June. Paris seeks to address global imbalances and the crisis of multilateralism.
France has sought to associate China more closely with those discussions. One area where officials see potential consensus is the creation of a G7 task force to tackle drug smuggling.
The Sun Malaysia
