Zelensky Attends G7 Summit in Evian, Proposes Putin Meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the G7 summit in Evian, France, to discuss peace efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine. He met with US President Donald Trump and was greeted by host President Emmanuel Macron, who has been driving European pressure on Russia.

Zelensky's attendance kicked off the second day of the three-day meeting. European leaders aim to remind Trump of the importance of pushing Russia to accept peace on Kyiv's terms. Zelensky urged a «decisive and substantive» G7 response after recent Russian strikes killed 11 and caused a fire at a Kyiv cathedral.

Zelensky revealed he proposed a meeting with Vladimir Putin at the G7, but Moscow was «not ready.» He also suggested to Trump that a meeting with Putin in the US would be «harder to refuse.» Trump, after speaking with both leaders, expressed optimism, stating, «maybe we can do something» on Ukraine, adding, «They're both open to it.»

Later, a special session on Iran will include Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Qatar's emir, and the UAE president. Allies will question Trump on his Iran deal, which he claims will reopen the Strait of Hormuz on Friday. Trump gave a cool reception to a proposed British-French military mission for the strait, asserting the US did not need «much help.» The summit also hosts leaders like Brazil's Lula da Silva and India's Narendra Modi, as France seeks to expand the G7's global reach.