G7 leaders meet for first full day of talks with Russia-Ukraine war first on the agenda

By Jakub Krupa • June 16, 2026 • World news

World leaders will be joined by Volodymyr Zelenskyy as they try to keep Donald Trump on side

We are now getting live pictures of the leaders arriving (slightly late) for today’s talks, with France’s Emmanuel Macron deep in conversation with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The French president is walking casually, hand in pocket, while Zelenskyy appears to be explaining something. Some last minute chat on tactics before they meet with Trump, surely? The other group of leaders – including Germany’s Friedrich Merz, Britain’s Keir Starmer, Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, Japan’s Sanae Takaichi, and EU’s Ursula von der Leyen – are standing in a circle waiting for others to arrive. About the only words I can make from their chat is “ChatGPT,” and Meloni mentioning cigarettes, so make of that what you will. More as we get it, I guess. Leaders of Canada, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States are meeting in Évian-les-Bains in France for talks on Ukraine, the Middle East, and (waves arms) the world on fire. After last night’s arrivals, it’s time to sit down and talk issues this morning, beginning with Ukraine. The leaders will be joined by Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as they try to keep US president, Donald Trump, on side amid fears he could be tempted to once again engage with Russia circumventing Europe. Just as the leaders are about to sit down for their talks, Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian forces struck a Moscow oil refinery last night in a “response” to recent attacks on Kyiv. “Russia must be forced to end the war against our people,” he said. The leaders will also talk about the Middle East … … and their relations with rapidly growing economies elsewhere before taking part in a number of bilateral meetings and a formal dinner later tonight. I will bring you all the key lines here. It’s Tuesday, 16 June 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live. Good morning.

Source: The Guardian