Macron's diplomatic push before G7 summit: focus on Ukraine, Iran, and Middle East

French President Emmanuel Macron's last major diplomatic test before the G7 summit is to keep US President Donald Trump engaged in international discussions. Expectations from the summit in Évian are low, and the primary goal is to maintain Trump's interest in talks on Ukraine and Iran.

Macron has invited Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to sideline meetings to discuss the current crisis in the Middle East. The leaders' summit next week will be dominated by issues ranging from the Strait of Hormuz to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, several countries, including France, are imposing new sanctions on Israel over the expansion of settlements in the West Bank. As part of this measure, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has been banned from entering France.

At the same time, Macron is seeking closer ties with China, inviting it to participate in G7 cooperation. France wants China to acknowledge the need to address global trade imbalances, one of the key topics at the summit.