G7 Summit Opens in France with Ukraine at Forefront as Zelenskyy Reports Strike on Moscow Oil Refinery
G7 leaders gathered in Évian-les-Bains for talks on Ukraine and the Middle East, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joining the session after announcing a Ukrainian strike on a Moscow oil refinery. The summit saw an unusual delay as leaders waited for US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Zelenskyy.
Leaders of the G7 nations met on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, in Évian-les-Bains, France, for discussions on Ukraine, the Middle East, and other global challenges.
Opening of Talks
After arriving the previous evening, the leaders began the day with a session focused on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined them, after having announced overnight that Ukrainian forces had struck an oil refinery in Moscow. He described the attack as a 'response' to recent strikes on Kyiv, stating that 'Russia must be forced to end the war against our people.'
Delay and Diplomacy
The start of the meeting was delayed by nearly an hour as US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and President Zelenskyy were not in the room. Other leaders—representing Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the European Union—waited. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney remarked wryly, 'The longer it takes, the better.'
When Trump eventually entered, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz hurried to present him with a German national team football shirt bearing Trump's name and the number 47 (Trump is the 47th US president). Trump initially seemed reluctant but eventually posed for photographers.
Planned Agenda
Beyond Ukraine, the leaders are scheduled to discuss the Middle East and relations with rapidly growing economies. Bilateral meetings and a formal dinner are planned for later in the day.
