Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven nations convened in Paris to address concerns about the direction of US policy and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The meeting, held on Monday and concluding Tuesday, brought together representatives from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with the attendance of Secretary of State Marco Rubio marking his first engagement with allied counterparts following recent midterm elections that resulted in significant losses for the US administration’s party.
European delegates emphasized that any resolution to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine must include meaningful European participation and input. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that fundamental alterations to Europe’s security structure would be inappropriate, stressing that Europe must remain an integral part of negotiations rather than having decisions made without its involvement. Ukraine’s foreign minister announced his attendance at a dedicated session on Tuesday, declaring that no party should determine Ukraine’s future without its direct participation in discussions.
The Paris gathering coincided with scheduled peace talks between Russia and Ukraine set for Tuesday and Wednesday in Abu Dhabi. German officials called on Russia to demonstrate genuine commitment to negotiations by abandoning maximalist positions, while noting that continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure provided little indication of serious negotiating intent. The meetings also provided a platform for G7 members to voice growing concerns about recent shifts in US foreign policy, particularly regarding decreased support for Ukraine and modifications to sanctions regimes against Russia.
Beyond Ukraine-focused discussions, the agenda encompassed broader geopolitical matters including Middle East instability and Iran policy. Representatives from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Korea, and Brazil also participated in the proceedings. Observers noted that underlying discussions centered on the future of multilateral frameworks that have structured international relations among these powers for decades, with significant uncertainty about the trajectory of US policy following the electoral outcome.
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