Trump pivots to Ukraine after Iran deal at G7 Summit in Evian
Synopsis
With the Iran deal signed and the Strait of Hormuz reportedly reopening, Trump used the G7 stage in Evian to signal a major diplomatic pivot — turning U.S. attention to the Russia-Ukraine war. His claim that both Putin and Zelenskyy are 'open to it' is the most direct signal yet of a potential U.S.-brokered push for negotiations.
Key Takeaways
President Trump announced on 15 June at the G7 Summit in Evian that the U.S. would shift focus to the Russia-Ukraine war after concluding an agreement with Iran .
Trump said he held separate conversations with President Putin and President Zelenskyy , describing both as 'very good.' Trump cited a death toll of 25,000 people per month — mostly soldiers — as a key reason to pursue a negotiated end to the conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz is reportedly already partially reopened following the Iran agreement, with full reopening expected by Friday .
President Zelenskyy is set to join G7 leaders for Ukraine discussions, confirmed by French President Macron .
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday, 15 June signalled that his administration would redirect its diplomatic focus toward ending the Russia-Ukraine war, following what he described as a breakthrough agreement with Iran concluded on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, France. Speaking alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump expressed cautious optimism that both Moscow and Kyiv may be receptive to peace negotiations.
Trump's Conversations with Putin and Zelenskyy
Trump told reporters he had held separate calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the previous day, describing both exchanges as productive. 'I had two very good conversations yesterday,' Trump said. 'Now that this is finished, we're going to be focusing on that, see if we can get that one done.'
Referring directly to the conflict, Trump added: 'I think they're both open to it.' He also cited the staggering human toll as a driving motivation, stating: '25,000 people a month are dying, mostly soldiers, and that shouldn't happen.'
Iran Deal Clears the Way
The diplomatic pivot follows what Trump characterised as a concluded agreement with Iran, which he credited with already easing tensions in the Middle East and reopening maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz. 'The deal is all signed, and the Strait is already partially opened,' Trump said. 'Ships are starting to go out now. On Friday, it'll be completely opened.'
Macron described the Iran agreement as 'a very important agreement, a peace deal with Iran' and called it a meaningful step toward global stability. With that file reportedly closed, Trump indicated his administration now has the bandwidth to pursue a resolution to Europe's largest conflict since World War II.
Zelenskyy to Join G7 Discussions
Macron confirmed that President Zelenskyy would participate in discussions with G7 leaders, underscoring that Ukraine would be a central agenda item at the summit. 'We will have the occasion to discuss the war in Ukraine in order to engage together and negotiate a good and solid peace and sustainable peace, and President Zelensky will be with us as well tomorrow,' Macron said.
This comes amid growing pressure on G7 nations to present a unified position on the conflict, with member states divided on the pace and conditions for any ceasefire framework.
Broader G7 Agenda
Beyond Ukraine and the Iran deal, Macron noted that G7 leaders would also take up critical minerals, trade coordination, energy security, and broader geopolitical stability during the Evian summit. The gathering of the world's seven largest industrialised economies arrives at a moment of compounding global crises, making the diplomatic signals from Trump and Macron particularly consequential.
Whether Trump's optimism about Ukrainian and Russian openness to talks translates into a formal negotiating process remains to be seen — but the shift in U.S. focus marks a notable moment in the trajectory of the nearly three-year-old conflict.
Point of View
The U.S. loses a key pressure lever over Iran, while gaining only goodwill credits it must now spend on a far more intractable European conflict. Whether Trump's transactional diplomacy can hold together a G7 that remains divided on Ukraine's territorial red lines is the real test Evian will not resolve.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Trump say about Ukraine at the G7 Summit?
Trump said his administration would shift its diplomatic focus to the Russia-Ukraine war now that a deal with Iran had been concluded. Speaking in Evian on 15 June, he said he had held separate conversations with Presidents Putin and Zelenskyy and believed both sides may be open to negotiations.
What is the Iran deal Trump referred to at the G7?
Trump described a concluded agreement with Iran, which he said had already begun easing Middle East tensions and reopening the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic. He said the Strait was partially open and expected to be fully reopened by Friday, though details of the agreement were not disclosed at the press appearance.
Will Zelenskyy attend the G7 Summit in Evian?
Yes. French President Macron confirmed that Ukrainian President Zelenskyy would join G7 leaders for discussions on the war in Ukraine, with the goal of working toward what Macron described as 'a good and solid peace and sustainable peace.'
How many people does Trump say are dying monthly in Ukraine?
Trump stated that 25,000 people per month are dying in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, describing them as mostly soldiers, and cited this figure as a major motivation for pursuing a negotiated resolution.
What else is on the G7 agenda in Evian?
Beyond Ukraine and the Iran deal, the Evian G7 summit is also addressing critical minerals, trade coordination, energy security, and broader geopolitical stability, according to French President Macron.
