G7 Summit Sends New Ukraine Signal: Trump Says 'I'm the Boss'
EU and G7 leaders on Wednesday unanimously pledged support for Ukraine and imposed new sanctions on Russia, with US President Trump telling the meeting 'I'm the boss.'
The remarks came during the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, from June 15 to 17, following a joint statement that could further strengthen Ukraine's hand in potential peace talks with Russia.
Ukrainian President Zelensky and his allies aimed to convince Trump that Ukraine's counteroffensive is gaining ground and that Russia cannot dictate terms in any peace deal.
The joint statement and leaders' comments showed that Trump, after years of skepticism, is moving closer to Zelensky's arguments. French President Macron said this reflects a 'real change of attitude' by the US on Ukraine and called the summit 'a success.' In contrast, last year's G7 in Canada failed to reach a common stance on Ukraine.
Italian Prime Minister Meloni said leaders and Trump 'found common ground, which is not always a given.' Canadian Prime Minister Carney praised the US and Trump for their 'shift in position.'
Last year, Trump left the G7 summit a day early due to the Middle East situation, but this time he attended the full summit and was due to later attend a dinner at the Palace of Versailles. Leaders were visibly relieved that the summit reached joint statements on Ukraine, AI, critical minerals, and other topics.
Still, any prospect of forcing Moscow to the negotiating table depends on Trump's commitments, which can be unpredictable.
'I'm the boss,' Trump told leaders and reporters as he took his seat at the global economic security meeting.
Trump's Iran Deal Sets Tone for Talks
G7 leaders also welcomed the preliminary peace deal between the US and Iran and expressed willingness to help implement it, but Trump made no specific commitment on the role various parties might play.
European allies worry that an inexperienced US negotiating team may fail to secure a solid nuclear deal in the next phase or address Iran's ballistic missile program, leading to a prolonged standoff.
Meanwhile, Trump stressed that the memorandum of understanding with Iran is not a final agreement, and the US could resume bombing if Iran fails to keep its promises.
'If I don't like it, if they are not honest, we will immediately resume bombing and drop bombs right in the middle of their heads,' he said.
Despite public support from European allies for the preliminary deal, diplomats warned that reaching a lasting agreement on Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and support for proxy forces in the Middle East remains a huge challenge.
