KANANASKIS, Alberta, June 16 – The world’s leading industrialized democracies are gathering this week for a pivotal summit, as the Group of Seven (G7) begins two days of high-level talks amid intensifying global conflicts. From the snow-capped serenity of Kananaskis in the Canadian Rockies, leaders of the U.S, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the European Union faces a world increasingly unsettled by the growing conflicts in both Ukraine and the Middle East.
Canadian Prime Minister and summit host Mark Carney is aiming to steer the discussions toward unity and strategic alignment. Yet the road to cohesion appears steep. U.S. President Donald Trump, now in the early months of his second term, brings with him policies that have disrupted traditional alliances. His shifting stance on Ukraine, warmer relations with Moscow, and controversial trade tariffs on long-standing allies have created an atmosphere of uncertainty that permeates the summit halls.
Strained Alliances and Global Unrest
Despite the picturesque setting, the backdrop to this G7 is anything but calm. The leaders convene while two major conflicts continue to spiral: Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and a sudden and volatile escalation between Israel and Iran. Both situations are shaking global markets, fueling diplomatic anxieties, and prompting urgent calls for coordinated action.
The Middle East conflict, in particular, has caused a dramatic rise in oil prices following Israel’s strikes on Iran on June 12. This spike is complicating efforts by some G7 members to lower the price cap on Russian oil, a key part of the strategy to limit Moscow’s war financing. Diplomats have expressed concerns that the conflict is distracting attention from Ukraine, at a time when a unified stance on sanctions and military aid is critical.
French President Emmanuel Macron stressed on Sunday the importance of reducing tensions between Israel and Iran, cautioning that continued conflict could threaten the stability of the entire region. Speaking from Greenland ahead of his departure for Canada, Macron said the G7 must push all sides toward diplomacy, reiterating Europe’s unified opposition to Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon. He also pointed to Washington’s leverage over Israel, given its reliance on U.S. military support, and urged the Trump administration to take a leading role in promoting peace.
President Trump, for his part, stated on Sunday that multiple meetings and phone calls were underway to reduce tensions, though specifics were not disclosed.
Discord Over Russia’s Role
One of the more controversial moments leading into the summit came when President Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday. He later suggested that Russia might play a useful role in mediating the Israel-Iran crisis—a proposal that drew swift criticism from European leaders.
Macron rejected the idea outright, stating that Russia could not be trusted as a peace broker while it continues its invasion of Ukraine. “You cannot claim to mediate a war you started,” he said, reflecting the deep mistrust among many G7 partners toward Moscow.
A senior European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that Trump’s comments illustrate how deeply Russia still factors into U.S. geopolitical thinking, even after its expulsion from the G7 in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea. “It feels like Washington is drifting again. No clear condemnation on Ukraine, and now possibly granting Moscow credit for peace efforts in the Middle East—this makes unity very difficult,” the diplomat said.
Meanwhile, Canadian officials, mindful of the tension, have opted for a more flexible outcome this year. Rather than pursue a comprehensive joint communiqué—something that famously fell apart in 2018 when Trump withdrew his support last minute—they are preparing a chair’s summary and six pre-agreed declarations. These will cover various issues such as climate change, artificial intelligence, and migration, and are designed to avoid potential clashes among the leaders.
On Monday, discussions will largely focus on economic cooperation, new trade negotiations, and China’s growing influence in global markets. Yet it’s clear that the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East will dominate not just the formal agenda but the private conversations between leaders as well.
Tuesday’s session will be especially crucial. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is expected to address the summit alongside NATO’s incoming Secretary General Mark Rutte. European leaders hope to leverage this moment—and the upcoming NATO summit—to convince Trump to adopt a tougher line against Russia and reaffirm U.S. commitment to Ukraine.
“The goal must be to find common ground again,” Macron stated. “A ceasefire in Ukraine is essential to pave the way for genuine and enduring peace, but achieving that requires the G7 nations to present a united front. That includes Washington.”