G7 Foreign Ministers Meet Amid Wars in Ukraine and Iran

The two-day meeting at the restored 12th-century Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay, roughly 40 km southwest of Paris, brings together Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.S., and the European Union. Ministers from Brazil, India, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia also attend to coordinate on energy, security, and diplomatic crises.

Allies have struggled to respond to sudden shifts in U.S. policy, including tariffs, approaches to Ukraine, and actions in the Middle East. France’s army chief and Thomas Gomart, director of the French Institute of International Relations, criticized Washington’s unpredictability. Gomart warned the U.S. “is an element of destabilization of the international system for all players,” affecting not only G7 members but also China and other countries worldwide.

The meeting departs from past practice, with officials foregoing a final joint communiqué to avoid exposing tensions between allies.

A key focus will be a briefing from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expected on Friday. Allies aim to gain clarity on U.S. and Israeli military operations in Iran and explore whether diplomatic channels exist to end the conflict. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which halts about a fifth of global oil supplies, remains a critical concern.

European officials stress to Rubio that any U.S.-brokered peace deal with Moscow should not disadvantage Kyiv. They advocate for continued military support for Ukraine, protection of its energy infrastructure, and preparation for another winter of war. European diplomats emphasize firm sanctions against Russia and strong support for Ukrainian resilience. Ukraine’s foreign minister is participating in the talks.