By Ginika Igboke
U.S. President Donald Trump took part in a series of high-level meetings on June 16 during the first full day of the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, where discussions centered on Iran, Ukraine, and global economic stability.
Trump participated in a roundtable discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and held bilateral meetings with the leaders of Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The day concluded with a cultural event and a social dinner hosted for summit attendees.
Trump Defends Iran Agreement
Throughout the summit, Trump defended the recently announced agreement with Iran, rejecting criticism that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) achieved little beyond reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking alongside Qatar’s Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Trump emphasized that the agreement prevents Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
“Iran will never have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said. “They’re not going to develop it, they’re not going to buy it, and they’re not going to do anything with it.”
When asked about potential consequences if Iran violated the agreement, Trump declined to provide specifics but warned of severe repercussions.
The deal has faced skepticism from lawmakers and commentators. Critics argue that its benefits remain unclear and have questioned whether the agreement adequately addresses Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Sen. Lindsey Graham expressed concern that Iran’s interpretation of the agreement may differ from that of U.S. negotiators. He also noted that any nuclear agreement with Iran would require congressional review under U.S. law.
Administration officials have maintained that Iran will only receive benefits under the agreement if it fully complies with all commitments, including refraining from nuclear weapons development, neutralizing enriched nuclear material, and ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Global Attention on the Strait of Hormuz
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the recent conflict disrupted global energy markets and heightened economic concerns, particularly in Europe, where rising energy costs fueled fears of slower growth and persistent inflation.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed optimism that the agreement would ensure the waterway remains open and stable. He said additional details of the accord would be finalized later in the week and emphasized the importance of making the arrangement durable.
Macron also said he hoped shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would remain free of additional tolls and that oil prices would continue to stabilize.
Oil markets reacted positively, with Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude prices falling to their lowest levels in three months.
Trump indicated that he would provide more details about the agreement in a formal announcement at a later date.
“I’ll probably have a press conference and read it to you word by word,” he said.
Ukraine Discussions Take Center Stage
Trump said attention would increasingly shift toward ending the war in Ukraine as tensions with Iran ease.
Following a roundtable discussion with Zelenskyy and other G7 leaders, Trump described the talks as productive and reiterated his desire to see an end to the conflict.
“Russia should make a deal,” Trump said. “Russia has lost tremendous amounts of people and so has Ukraine.”
Before the broader meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy held a private discussion focused on possible paths toward a resolution of the war.
“I’m going to do whatever I can,” Trump said when asked about efforts to bring the conflict to an end.
Possible Return of Sanctions on Russia
Trump also suggested that the United States may soon be in a position to restore sanctions on Russia.
Speaking during a meeting with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Trump said the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has eased concerns about global energy supplies, potentially allowing Washington to take a tougher stance toward Moscow.
The United States eased certain sanctions on Russian seaborne oil earlier this year to help address energy shortages linked to the conflict involving Iran. A sanctions waiver currently in place is scheduled to expire on June 17.
Whether additional sanctions will be imposed remains uncertain, but Trump indicated that the administration is reviewing its options as energy markets stabilize and diplomatic efforts continue.
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