G7 Opens With Ukraine Burying Its Dead and Trump Talking Optimism

G7 leaders opened summit talks in Evian-les-Bains, France, on Tuesday focused on the war in Ukraine and the Middle East, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky joining the gathering at host France’s invitation [1, 2]. The summit came hours after Russia launched a barrage of hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles at Ukrainian cities, killing 11 people and sparking a fire at Kyiv’s historic Dormition Cathedral inside the Pechersk Lavra [2, 3]. President Trump, arriving fresh off announcing a preliminary U.S.-Iran peace deal, told reporters Monday he believes “maybe we can do something” on Ukraine, saying both Kyiv and Moscow are “open to it,” after holding separate phone calls with Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin over the weekend [1, 4]. No one-on-one Trump-Zelensky meeting was scheduled as of Tuesday, while European leaders led by French President Emmanuel Macron were expected to press Trump to maintain pressure on Moscow rather than push Kyiv toward concessions [2, 3].

Why It Sucks:

Trump Administration and “America First” Supporters

• Iran momentum should carry over to Ukraine. Supporters argue Trump’s Iran breakthrough proves his direct-dealmaking approach can end the Ukraine war too [1, 4].
• Ending the war matters more than how it ends. They argue any deal that stops the killing is worth pursuing, even if it requires difficult compromises from Kyiv [1].
• Phone diplomacy is still diplomacy. Allies note Trump already spoke to both Zelensky and Putin by phone over the weekend, calling that sufficient groundwork without a formal sit-down [4].

European Allies and the Atlanticist Foreign Policy Establishment

• Pressure must stay on Moscow, not Kyiv. Macron and other leaders worry Trump’s eagerness for a deal will translate into pushing Ukraine to accept Russian terms [2, 3].
• A deadly strike the night before changes nothing for Trump’s optimism. European leaders argue the timing of Russia’s attack on Kyiv should harden, not soften, the alliance’s posture heading into talks [2, 3].
• Separate phone calls aren’t a coordinated strategy. Allies are uneasy that major war diplomacy is unfolding through individual Trump calls rather than unified G7 pressure [4].

Ukrainians and Zelensky’s Government

• We’re burying civilians while diplomats talk. Zelensky arrived at the summit directly demanding a “decisive and substantive” response to a strike that killed 11 people and damaged a historic cathedral [2, 3].
• No seat at the main table. Ukrainians note Zelensky has no scheduled one-on-one with Trump, leaving Kyiv’s fate discussed without it negotiating directly alongside Washington [2].
• Vague optimism offers no real guarantee. Ukrainian officials warn that statements like “maybe we can do something” provide no assurance Kyiv won’t be pressured into concessions it can’t accept [1, 4].

Sources & Citations:

[1] AP via The Hill: G7 leaders open summit talks on Ukraine and the Middle East as Zelenskyy joins in France
[2] NPR: G7 leaders open summit talks in France on Ukraine and the Middle East
[3] France 24: Zelensky arrives ahead of G7 summit as Trump signals possible Ukraine breakthrough
[4] Kyiv Post: G7 to Meet Zelensky as Trump Says “Maybe We Can Do Something” on Ukraine