The G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, has brought together world leaders to discuss pressing global issues, including the spiraling conflict between Israel and Iran, the Ukraine war, and trade tensions. The summit’s Canadian hosts have scrapped attempts at producing a joint communiqué, opting instead for shorter, more focused statements to avoid potential disagreements.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the importance of addressing the Israel-Iran conflict, stating, “This issue will be very high on the agenda of the G7 summit.” His goals include ensuring Iran doesn’t possess a nuclear weapon, avoiding escalation, and leaving open room for a diplomatic resolution. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will join the leaders on Tuesday for talks, which could be crucial in advancing Kyiv’s case.
The summit comes at a time of significant turnover in the world’s leading economies, with four of the seven elected leaders attending their first G7 as heads of government. President Donald Trump, who hasn’t attended a world leader summit in six years, will participate in all scheduled discussions. Trump’s aides have focused more on trade than Ukraine, with the president eager to demonstrate progress on trade negotiations. A senior US official said discussions would center on trade, the global economy, critical minerals, and energy security, with Trump aiming to make America’s trade relationships “fair and reciprocal”.
Rachel Rizzo, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center, noted that “President Trump approaches multilateral fora with extreme skepticism” and “does not view these organizations as ways to deepen and expand American power and influence.” This skepticism may shape the summit’s dynamics, particularly given Trump’s past behavior at G7 summits.
The 51st G7 summit will be held in Kananaskis, Alberta, from June 15 to 17, 2025, marking a significant milestone as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first G7 meeting. The summit brings together leaders from the G7 member nations, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as invited guests such as Ukraine, India, Brazil, Mexico, and others.