Middle East Diplomacy Takes Centre Stage
US President Donald Trump is set to meet several Middle Eastern leaders during the G7 summit next week.
Senior US administration officials said Trump will travel to Evian, France, early on Monday for the major gathering of world leaders.
During the summit, he is expected to hold separate meetings with the leaders of Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, France and India.
However, officials said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not expected to join Trump’s bilateral meetings with Middle Eastern leaders at the summit.
The meetings come at a sensitive time for the region. Washington is trying to manage several diplomatic challenges involving security, trade, migration and regional stability.
Trump is expected to discuss shared priorities with the leaders. These include economic growth, development, supply chain strength, illegal migration and artificial intelligence.
Zelensky to Join Working Session With G7 Leaders
Trump will also attend a working session on Tuesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other G7 leaders.
No formal bilateral meeting between Trump and Zelensky has been scheduled. However, officials said the two leaders could still meet on the sidelines.
The session comes as Ukraine continues to seek more military and financial support from its allies.
A senior US official said Russian advances in Ukraine have “more or less stopped.” The official added that Washington wants the war to end as quickly as possible.
Trump’s relationship with Zelensky has seen several ups and downs. The Ukraine war remains one of the most important issues facing the G7 leaders.
European countries are expected to push for continued support for Kyiv. They are also likely to seek clarity on Washington’s long-term position.
Trade, Tariffs and Global Pressure Shape Summit Mood
Trump is also expected to meet European leaders with whom he has disagreed on trade, tariffs, Ukraine and Nato.
Since returning to the White House in early 2025, Trump has taken a tougher position on several foreign policy and economic issues.
Officials said he will also focus on critical minerals. These minerals are needed for advanced technologies and future supply chains.
Before returning to Washington, Trump is expected to attend a dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday.
Ahead of the summit, Liana Fix, an associate fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said many G7 leaders have already faced Trump’s trade pressure or diplomatic pressure.
She said European leaders have learned to hope for the best but expect the worst after past disputes over Greenland, trade and Iran.
The summit is expected to test relations between the United States and its closest allies.
