Putin may soon face Trump's biggest Russia surprise yet
US President Trump and Russian leader Putin (Photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has demonstrated an unexpected willingness to increase pressure on the Kremlin to end the war in Ukraine. During the G7 summit in France, the American leader proposed a kind of geopolitical barter to his European allies, according to Politico.
The leaders of the Group of Seven arrived in Évian-les-Bains with anxiety and were preparing for conflicts with Donald Trump over Iran and the Ukrainian issue. However, the first day of negotiations changed the mood — EU diplomats felt relieved.
The White House's position has softened, and Trump hinted at a readiness to support Europe on the issue of Ukraine. In return, he wants to receive help from allies to stabilise the situation with Iran.
"The discussions we’ve had among ourselves and with the U.S. president — both in official meetings and in informal encounters on the sidelines — give me a certain sense of optimism," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told journalists.
Trump is ready to pressure Russian leader Putin to stop the aggression. But support for Ukraine comes at a price: Trump is demanding that G7 partners help with security in the Strait of Hormuz. In exchange for US activity on the issue of peace in Ukraine, Europe must support the new Iranian agreement.
The US president also announced, after a 70-minute meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the restoration of sanctions against Russia's oil sector.
"Russia has to make a deal," the US president said.
Such actions dispelled fears that Trump might force Ukraine into capitulation. Earlier, he had spoken with Putin on the phone for nearly an hour, which caused panic among allies. They feared unilateral concessions to the Kremlin, but now the situation looks different.
European countries are ready to help the US in the Strait of Hormuz. But they are setting their own conditions. Macron emphasised that the deployment of ships for mine clearance must be a joint decision of all parties to the agreement, including Iran and Oman.
Trump now appears to be in a constructive mood, and diplomats hope this mood will last until the meeting in Türkiye.
"He [Trump] will need the capacities of his allies of the G7 and others … to clear Hormuz of mines," one senior official explained.
How Macron charmed Trump
EU leaders employed a soft power strategy and played on Trump's weakness for luxury. French President Emmanuel Macron invited him to dinner at the Palace of Versailles, which made a considerable impression on the American guest.
"I was leaving in the afternoon and then the French president, who happens to be a very nice man, invited me to dinner at Versailles. And Versailles is not a gold leaf. Versailles is the real deal," Donald Trump said.
Other leaders also sought ways to connect:
- Friedrich Merz gave Trump a German national team jersey with the number 47.
- Giorgia Meloni held a friendly explanatory meeting.
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy showed a photo of a burning cathedral after a Russian drone attack.
The last gesture was aimed at Trump's religious circle. Ukraine is trying to secure US support before the NATO summit, which will be held next month in Ankara.
Context of the event
On the sidelines of the G7 summit, Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Donald Trump. After that, the Ukrainian president said that today, June 17, he might hold another meeting with his American counterpart.
In addition, according to Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian delegation will meet with the American delegation throughout the day.
