G7 leaders reaffirm support for Ukraine, plan increased sanctions on Russia
G7 leaders on Wednesday (June 17, 2026) issued a joint statement expressing support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and agreeing to increase sanctions on Russia, as Kyiv seeks peace talks with Moscow.
The statement, from the June 15–17 summit in the French lakeside resort of Evian-les-Bains, showcased unity among the member nations, even as the United States under President Donald Trump has at times differed on approaches to ending the war in Ukraine.
It followed what President Trump described as a "very good" meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other G7 leaders on Tuesday, fueling optimism that a peace deal may be achievable. President Zelenskyy indicated he could meet President Trump again on Wednesday. The developments come amid reports that Ukraine's military actions, including drone operations, have altered the strategic situation on the ground.
The G7 leaders also welcomed the preliminary peace deal between the United States and Iran, signed by President Trump just before the summit, and stated they are ready to contribute to its implementation. They further committed to diversifying energy supply routes to reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz and to increase energy reserves.
On Wednesday, the agenda shifted to critical minerals and global economic imbalances, a central theme of France's G7 presidency. France is pushing for a joint statement on critical minerals that could include measures to help Western countries reduce their reliance on China, such as price supports, market standards, subsidies, and mechanisms to boost private investment in supply chains outside China. However, any announcements are likely to be initial steps.
China's move to impose export restrictions on rare earth magnets in 2025 disrupted global supply chains in the energy, defence, and technology sectors, underlining Western vulnerabilities. Since then, Western nations have been working to secure alternative mineral supplies and build processing capacity, though it will take years to challenge China's dominance. The United States proposed a critical minerals trading bloc earlier in 2026, but differences remain among allies over how it would operate, especially given the White House's "America First" approach.
The leaders also discussed rebalancing global trade and curbing what some term "predatory competition" largely from China. French officials characterised the imbalances as China producing too much, the U.S. consuming too much, and Europe investing too little. There is growing concern in Europe over China's record trade surplus and its movement up the value chain, which analysts describe as a "second China shock". French President Emmanuel Macron sought to engage Beijing ahead of the summit, but China rejects European Union claims of unfair subsidies and has vowed strong countermeasures to proposed EU trade regulations.
