Newsletter: The G7's moment of reckoning

Also in this newsletter: Ukraine and Moldova enter first phase of talks on joining the European Union; and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy prepares to join G7 leaders after Russian strikes kill nine and damage landmark cathedral overnight. Hello, this is Mared Gwyn writing in the early morning from Luxembourg, where there’s plenty of action on EU foreign policy and enlargement lined up for the day. More on that later. As you were sleeping, Russia launched yet another round of ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv, striking the city's historic Assumption Cathedral within the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, one of Ukraine's most significant religious and cultural sites which holds some of the country’s most revered shrines and relics. It comes just as President Zelenskyy is expected to join leaders at the G7 summit for talks on Ukraine’s future. More on that in our top story below. But first, let’s take you to Évian-les-Bains in France, the Alpine town which will provide the stunning backdrop to a much-anticipated G7 summit over the next few days. The action kicks off later today with a bilateral meeting between US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, before leaders gather over dinner. In a timely fashion, both Washington and Tehran confirmed overnight that a peace deal to bring the war in Iran to an end has been “completed” and will be signed on Friday. Off the back of the announcement, the leaders of France, Germany, the UK and Italy – all headed to Évian – have called for the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in order to stabilise the world’s economy. A substantial military undertaking will be required to clear mines and ensure freedom of navigation through the critical waterway – with France and the UK expected to take on a leading role. This G7 summit is also set to be dominated by not only geopolitics, but also the macroeconomic imbalances plaguing the Group of Seven economies. Leaders are expected to broach the difficult subject of Chinese industrial over-capacity and how to bring Beijing into negotiations on rebalancing trading relationships. Also, keep an eye out for talks on AI and online safety due to take place towards the end of the summit, when tech executives from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and Mistral AI join leaders for talks. My colleagues Maria Tadeo and Angela Skujins, both on the ground in Évian, have this must-read preview. EU examining Anthropic restrictions: The G7 discussion on AI comes just as the European Commission is looking into the practical implications of the US export control measures the US government has imposed on Anthropic’s most powerful models Fable 5 and Mythos 5 over their cybersecurity capabilities, my colleague Luca Bertuzzi writes in to report. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier recognised that highly capable AI models raised serious cybersecurity concerns, but warned that “contingency measures taken in this light should not be discriminatory against partners.” For the Commission, the episode is yet another illustration that Europe needs to strengthen its technological sovereignty. The CEO of Anthropic Dario Amodei will participate in a working lunch with G7 leaders and the chief executives of other leading AI companies on Tuesday. Moldova, Ukraine kick off EU membership talks: Today also marks the big moment that Ukraine and Moldova have been yearning for: the formal opening of the first cluster of negotiations to become members of the European Union. The cluster, known as “Fundamentals” because it covers human rights, the judiciary and the rule of law, is the first and last to be opened in the long-winded accession process, my colleague Jorge Liboreiro reports. Hungary firmly blocked the crucial step for almost two years until the April elections precipitated a series of events that culminated in an agreement between Budapest and Kyiv to lift the contentious veto. To understand how much things have changed since then, last Friday, EU ambassadors agreed on their common position for the first cluster without discussion. The so-called Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) with Ukraine will take place at 18.00 CET today in Luxembourg, followed by the one with Moldova at 20.00 CET. Cyprus, the country that holds the rotating presidency of the EU Council, will chair the session. Marta Kos, the European Commissioner for Enlargement, will also participate. Will there be another IGC before the end of the month? We’re hearing that Cyprus is very keen to open Cluster 6 (“External Relations”) before it passes the baton to Ireland on 1 July. Watch this space. Also today: Before the IGCs convene, foreign affairs ministers will gather in Luxembourg to discuss Russia’s war on Ukraine, the fragile situation in the Middle East, and the troubled state of EU-China relations, my colleague Jorge Liboreiro reports. Among other things, ministers will debate the possibility of imposing sanctions on Itamar Ben-Gvir, the Israeli minister accused of humiliating European citizens on board the Gaza flotilla, and introducing restrictions on trade with the illegal settlements in the West Bank. The political winds are shifting towards both decisions, but there’s still no clear path to forge ahead. Regarding Ben-Gvir, it’s a matter of unanimity, and the Czech Republic has already said it opposes blacklisting sitting ministers. Regarding the settlements, a group of member states insists trade restrictions should be approved by a qualified majority, as is the case for any trade measures, but the European Commission argues that, in practice, they would amount to sanctions and therefore require unanimity. Amid the impasse, some capitals are applying their own bans. “Obviously, it is much better if we do this at a European level,” a diplomat said. Another European diplomat expressed exasperation at the Commission’s reluctance to come forward with a plan, which has been demanded by at least 15 member states. “It is incumbent on the Commission to come up with a proposal. It should not be left to member states taking individual measures as they've been forced to,” the diplomat said. Kallas in the spotlight: The meeting of foreign ministers comes at a precarious time for the person who will chair the talks: High Representative Kaja Kallas. A French non-paper that proposed three options to revamp her position, including two that would drastically weaken its mandate, sent shockwaves and put her in a tight spot. But, as Jorge explains in his analysis, the backlash goes beyond Kallas as a person and lays bare the hard truths of the EU’s foreign policy. Zelenskyy heads to G7 at Macron’s invite as Europe steps up mediation efforts Volodymyr Zelenskyy is attending this year’s G7 summit in Evian at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, who has described his presence as essential to “rebuilding consensus” among G7 leaders on continued support for Ukraine, our correspondent Sasha Vakulina reports. Macron has made clear that keeping Ukraine at the top of the agenda is a core aim of France’s G7 presidency, alongside preserving a pathway to eventual peace talks with Russia. On Sunday, Zelenskyy said he had “a great conversation” with US President Donald Trump ahead of the summit, thanking him for US support “from Javelins to Patriots”and signalling “good ideas” to advance peace that they will discuss at the G7. Although no formal bilateral has been scheduled, both are due to join a dedicated working session on Ukraine on Tuesday, and officials expect them to meet on the margins. The G7 summit takes place as Washington’s diplomatic focus has increasingly shifted toward the Middle East, while European leaders seek to cast themselves as key mediators with Russia, urging Moscow to engage in direct talks with Kyiv. Zelenskyy travels to the G7 amid Ukraine’s improved mid‑ and long‑range strike capabilities, with Kyiv reporting successes against Russian military and energy infrastructure and an intensified campaign to cut annexed Crimea off Russia’s control. The Kremlin has also reported that Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reportedly after speaking to Zelenskyy. The Kremlin pointed out that the call with Putin allegedly lasted longer: 55 minutes compared to the 30 min call with Zelenskyy. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said the conversation was "friendly in nature” and included a discussion on ending Moscow’s war against Ukraine, though the Russian government framed it as Trump promising "to exert influence" over Europe and Ukraine. "Trump once again emphasised the need to end military hostilities," Ushakov said. "He stated that he is prepared to exert influence on both European partners and Kyiv, including during upcoming contacts at the G7 summit." Ushakov also reiterated once again that Putin is not willing to meet Zelenskyy “If he wants a meeting, let him come to Moscow,” indicating there has been no change in Moscow’s (un)willingness to hold talks with Kyiv. More from our newsrooms Romanian President nominates Adrian Vestea as prime minister. President Nicusor Dan promptly nominated a new Prime Minister on Sunday after the previous nominee dropped out, as Romania continues to find itself embroiled in a persistent political crisis. More. Energy experts warn of slow oil and gas supply recovery after Iran deal. High oil and gas prices and energy supply problems won't be solved overnight, despite Sunday's agreement to end the Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Angela Barnes has more. We’re also keeping an eye on - Group of 7 leaders dine together in Évian-les-Bains later tonight. US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron will first hold a bilateral meeting. - EU foreign affairs ministers gather in Luxembourg. Ukraine, Moldova and Montenegro hold inter-governmental conferences on their EU accession bids. - EU-Egypt Association Council takes place in Luxembourg. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas gives press conference alongside Badr Abdelatty, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates of Egypt. - European Parliament’s plenary session kicks off in Strasbourg. That’s it for today. Jorge Liboreiro, Angela Skujins and Sasha Vakulina contributed to this newsletter.