Foreign ministers from the G7 nations are gathering near Paris for a two-day meeting aimed at bridging transatlantic divisions over the escalating Middle East conflict, while also addressing ongoing crises in Ukraine and Gaza.
The summit, held at the Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey, commenced Thursday under France’s rotating G7 presidency. A central objective is to address “major global imbalances” fueling international tensions, as stated by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The meeting occurs amid heightened rhetoric from Washington, where President Donald Trump has threatened severe action against Iran if it rejects a deal to end the US-Israeli conflict with the Islamic Republic.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, making his first overseas trip since the war began, is attending only the second day. His European and Canadian counterparts have consistently called for de-escalation and have not supported military action against Iran, creating a clear rift with Washington. German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil openly criticized Trump’s Middle East policies as “misguided” and damaging to Germany’s economy.
In an effort to broaden the dialogue, France has invited foreign ministers from Brazil, India, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea to participate. This reflects an attempt to give the elite club a more global reach beyond its original 1975 formulation.
The European agenda also emphasizes maintaining support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion, now in its fifth year. Barrot affirmed continued backing for “Ukrainian resistance” and pressure on Moscow. Simultaneously, ministers are concerned that the Middle East conflict is diverting attention from the Gaza ceasefire plan and violence in the West Bank, as noted by British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
With Lebanon now drawn into the fighting following Hezbollah rocket attacks, France has urged Israel to refrain from deploying forces into southern Lebanon. The meeting underscores the G7’s struggle to present a unified front as the US pursues a confrontational stance toward Iran, a path its closest allies have avoided. The outcomes will test the alliance’s ability to coordinate on multiple, concurrent global security threats.
