Trump to leave G7 summit early due to Middle East situation
The G7 has struggled to find unity over conflicts in Ukraine and between Israel and Iran as Trump overtly expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and has imposed tariffs on many of the allies present.
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Hans India
16 minutes ago
- Hans India
French Prez rallies G7 leaders for de-escalation in Middle East, peace in Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday held a series of high-level meetings on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Kananaskis, Canada, emphasising the urgent need to de-escalate the conflict between Israel and Iran, while calling for a revival of negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme. Macron met with several world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. His conversations focused on the volatile situation in the Middle East, the war in Ukraine, and deepening bilateral cooperation on strategic areas like defence, energy, and artificial intelligence. The G7 -- comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union -- issued a joint statement from the summit, reaffirming their commitment to regional peace and stability in the Middle East while explicitly backing Israel's right to defend itself. The leaders called Iran the "principal source" of regional instability and terrorism. Macron met with US President Donald Trump and discussed the need for a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war and the de-escalation between Iran and Israel. Both leaders also discussed stabilising their trade relations. "We also spoke about the pressure that must be exerted on Russia to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible and to negotiate a lasting peace for Ukraine," Macron said in a post on the social media platform X. "We emphasised the urgent need for de-escalation between Israel and Iran. Only a rigorous negotiation will ensure that Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon and that safety is ensured for all in the Middle East. In this difficult context, I have not forgotten about Gaza. Israel must end the war. Hamas must release the hostages. Civilians must get relief," he added. The French President's meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also focused on the Gaza conflict and the stalled nuclear deal with Iran. "With Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the G7. A ceasefire for a strong and lasting peace in Ukraine. A ceasefire to end the war in Gaza, to free the hostages, to seek a political solution, and to bring peace for all. De-escalation and the resumption of negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme," Macron wrote on X. He added that the two nations share similar positions on major global challenges and that this cooperation would continue at the Franco-British Summit during his state visit to the UK on July 11. During his meeting with Canadian PM Mark Carney, Macron thanked Canada for hosting the summit and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the Franco-Canadian partnership. "During our meeting, I reaffirmed France's commitment to strengthening our partnership with Canada on defence, decarbonisation, and artificial intelligence. Together, as part of the coalition of the willing, we reiterated our determination to work toward a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. After Canada, it will be France's turn to take over the G7 presidency," Macron posted. Additionally, Macron also met Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and highlighted the strategic importance of the Franco-Japanese alliance. "Very pleased to meet the Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the G7. In recent years, we have built an exceptional partnership with Japan, driven by a friendship of the same nature. An essential partnership for peace, stability and global prosperity," Macron wrote. He said the scope of collaboration spans defence, critical materials, civil nuclear power, culture, and industrial cooperation. "A partnership for the future for our two countries and for our people… France is ready for it!" he added.
Scroll.in
17 minutes ago
- Scroll.in
G7 says Israel has ‘right to defend itself', calls Iran principal source of regional instability
The Group of Seven countries on Tuesday said that Israel has the 'right to defend' itself and described Iran as the principal source of regional instability and terror. They added that Iran 'can never have a nuclear weapon'. The G7, an informal grouping of advanced economies, comprises France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. The annual summit of G7 leaders is being held in Kananaskis, Canada. The summit this year comes amid the latest round of the conflict between Israel and Iran that started on Friday when the Israeli military struck what it claimed were nuclear targets and also on other sites in Iran with an aim of stalling Tehran's nuclear programme. The attacks have led to concerns of an escalation and a wider conflict in the region. In a statement on Tuesday, the leaders of the G7 countries reiterated their commitment to peace and stability in West Asia. 'In this context, we affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself,' the countries said. 'We reiterate our support for the security of Israel.' The statement said that the G7 grouping had been 'consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon'. It further urged that the resolution of the crisis should lead to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in West Asia, including a ceasefire in Gaza. The countries said that it would 'remain vigilant to the implications for international energy markets and stand ready to coordinate, including with like-minded partners, to safeguard market stability'. On Monday, Reuters had quoted an unidentified US official as saying that US President Donald Trump would not sign the draft statement from the G7 leaders calling for the de-escalation of the conflict between Israel and Iran. However, the joint statement published on Tuesday was signed by Trump, BBC reported. Israel-Iran conflict Over the past five days, the Israel Defense Forces have repeatedly hit sites in Tehran and several other cities. Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz was among the targets that were hit. On Saturday, Iran retaliated with missile attacks at several places across Israel, including the cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa. The two sides have continued to attack each other with air strikes and ballistic missiles. More than 220 persons have died in Israeli strikes in Iran. In Israel, at least 24 persons have been killed in Iranian attacks so far. On Monday, the Israel Defense Forces issued a warning, asking people in District 3 of the Iranian capital to leave the area immediately for their safety. 'In the coming hours, the Israeli Army will take action in this area to attack the Iranian regime's military infrastructure, just as it has done in recent days around Tehran,' the Israeli forces had said. Hours later, Trump had also urged people living in Tehran to immediately evacuate. Israel has claimed that Iran was 'closer than ever' to obtaining a nuclear weapon, and said it had no choice but to 'fulfil the obligation to act in defence of its citizens'. Iran has for long maintained that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes.
Mint
19 minutes ago
- Mint
‘Emmanuel always gets it wrong': Trump denies exiting G7 early over Israel-Iran ceasefire, hints at ‘something bigger'
Donald Trump on Tuesday refuted French President Emmanuel Macron's claim that he left the G7 Summit in Canada a day early to rush to Washington to work on a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump suggested instead that his early departure was due to 'something much bigger.' President Emmanuel Macron 'mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to DC to work on a cease fire' between Israel and Iran," said Trump in a post on Truth Social. 'Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that. Whether purposely or not, Emmanuel always gets it wrong. Stay Tuned!" Trump said in his post. Macron told reporters at the G7 Summit, 'There is indeed an offer to meet and exchange. An offer was made especially to get a ceasefire and to then kickstart broader discussions,' reported The Guardian. 'We have to see now whether the sides will follow,' he added. Macron called the development positive, adding, 'Right now, I believe negotiations need to restart and that civilians need to be protected.' He also added that he did not believe things would change in the next few hours, but 'since the US assured they will find a ceasefire and since they can pressure Israel, things may change,' the Guardian reported. The two Middle Eastern countries, Israel and Iran, are currently locked in escalating conflict. On June 12, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Iran, targeting the country's nuclear sites. The surprise attack has triggered a wave of retaliatory strikes between the two nations. President Donald Trump said he wanted to solve the nuclear problem with Iran, with Iran "giving up entirely" on nuclear weapons, according to comments that were posted by a CBS News reporter on the social media platform X. Trump made the statements during his midnight departure from the G7 summit in Canada, the CBS News reporter said early on Tuesday. Trump predicted that Israel would not stop attacking Iran. "You're going to find out over the next two days. You're going to find out. Nobody's slowed up so far," the CBS journalist quoted Trump as saying on Air Force One. When asked about the prospect of sending US Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff or Vice President JD Vance to meet with Iran, Trump replied, "I may." However, he added, "It depends on what happens when I get back," according to CBS. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Fox News on Monday that President Donald Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran.
