G7 Summit in France Tightens Russia Sanctions as Trump Praises Putin

Leaders of the Group of Seven met in Évian‑Les‑Bains, France, and agreed to intensify sanctions on Russia, targeting the oil and gas sector and expanding weapons and air‑defence aid to Ukraine. The declaration also referenced a possible reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after a U.S.‑Iran deal and pledged additional support for Ukraine’s winter needs.

U.S. President Donald Trump broke with the expected messaging by thanking Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping for their restrained stance on the Iranian issue, stating that Putin was “very neutral.” He shifted focus to the Middle East, gave only a brief comment on the war in Ukraine, and did not meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who instead traveled to Belgium. Trump later attended a dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at Versailles.