G7 leaders in Evian test Trump on fragile Iran deal while pushing Ukraine reset

European leaders are using the G7 summit in the French lakeside town of Evian-les-Bains to challenge U.S. President Donald Trump on the risks of a hastily negotiated interim Iran deal while urging a rethink of Washington’s approach to the war in Ukraine.

The three-day gathering (15-17 June) brings together the leaders of the United States, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan and the European Union. It comes just days after Washington and Tehran announced a preliminary ceasefire agreement to halt their direct conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump, who arrived in Evian on Monday buoyed by the breakthrough, declared the deal “all signed” and said its full text would be released after a formal signing ceremony scheduled for Friday in Geneva. He added that the strategically vital waterway would be “completely open” by then. Vice President JD Vance is expected to represent the U.S. at the ceremony.

However, details of the memorandum remain limited and vague. The agreement extends a fragile April ceasefire by 60 days, during which negotiators are expected to tackle Iran’s nuclear programme, its ballistic missile capabilities, sanctions relief and regional proxy activities. Iranian officials have described it as an “important step” but stressed that a lasting truce has yet to materialise.

French President Emmanuel Macron emphasised the need for a “solid, serious agreement that is finalised,” while European diplomats worry that the current text risks entrenching Tehran’s nuclear and missile programmes without sufficient safeguards. France, Britain and Germany are pushing for a greater role in the next phase of talks, drawing on their long experience with the 2015 nuclear deal that Trump abandoned during his first term.

A Tuesday lunch session at the summit is expected to focus on safely reopening the Strait of Hormuz, potentially including a Franco-British-led maritime mission and alternative energy routes. Leaders from the UAE, Qatar and Egypt are also attending to outline regional expectations.

On Ukraine, European leaders see the G7 as an opportunity to convince Trump that previous U.S. proposals have been overly favourable to Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is participating in sessions dedicated to “building peace in Ukraine” and may hold bilateral talks with Trump. Zelenskyy has offered to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin at the summit, but Moscow has shown little enthusiasm.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted Ukraine’s battlefield resilience and Russia’s economic strain under sanctions, signalling continued European commitment to supporting Kyiv while keeping pressure on Moscow.

The summit underscores persistent transatlantic tensions: Europeans are eager to assert influence on both the Iran nuclear file and Ukraine strategy amid concerns that rushed U.S. diplomacy could leave critical security issues unresolved.

Caption: (L-R) Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, and European Council President Antonio Costa (Front L) and European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen (Front L) attend a working dinner at the Hotel Royal during the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, 15 June 2026. The 52nd G7 Summit takes place in Evian-les-Bains from 15 to 17 June 2026. EPA/YOAN VALAT