Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is expected to press G7 leaders for continued military and financial support in Ukraine’s war against Russia, even as the summit was disrupted by U.S. President Donald Trump’s early departure due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Zelenskiy will first meet Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, then attend a G7 working breakfast titled “A Strong and Sovereign Ukraine”, alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. The Ukrainian embassy in Canada confirmed Zelenskiy’s plans remain unchanged.
Trump left the summit on Monday citing the need to return to Washington to manage the growing Israel-Iran crisis, a move that has cast a shadow over the G7’s attempts at presenting a united front.
“I’m very grateful for the President’s presence and I fully understand why he must return,” Carney said, acknowledging Trump’s exit while reaffirming G7 leaders’ commitment to engage with Zelenskiy.
G7 Struggles for Unity Amid Diverging Views
Though remaining G7 members intend to continue talks with Zelenskiy, internal divisions have been exposed. Trump’s controversial stance on Russia, including recent remarks defending its 2014 expulsion from the G8, has further strained group cohesion. While he stopped short of advocating Russia’s reinstatement, his comments have raised questions about the support Ukraine can expect from the U.S.
The G7 has also faced challenges aligning on other global crises, including the Israel-Iran conflict. Trump agreed to a group statement calling for de-escalation, which stated:
“Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror,” while reaffirming Israel’s right to self-defense and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Zelenskiy previously said his G7 agenda includes reinforcing sanctions on Russia, securing long-term funding for Ukraine’s reconstruction, and reaffirming commitments from allies amid rising global instability.
Mixed Diplomatic Outcomes
Trump’s early exit did not derail all talks. He and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer finalized a bilateral trade deal reached last month. Carney also announced plans for a new Canada-U.S. economic agreement within 30 days.
However, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru left empty-handed after failing to reach a trade agreement with Trump, despite what he described as a “frank discussion.”
Multiple draft communiqués—on migration, AI, and critical minerals—remain in limbo, reportedly lacking U.S. approval. One European diplomat told Reuters it’s unclear whether any joint declarations will be issued without Trump’s endorsement.
Canada Courts New Allies
In a bid to reduce reliance on the United States, Carney has invited non-G7 nations including India, Brazil, South Korea, South Africa, Australia, and Mexico to participate. These outreach efforts come as Canada seeks to diversify its export base and broaden geopolitical alliances.
One notable guest is Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose visit is his first to Canada in ten years. Tensions between the two countries have simmered since former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2023 accusation that India was involved in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—an allegation the Indian government denies.
As the summit unfolds, Zelenskiy’s mission to shore up Western backing continues—but the shifting geopolitical landscape and Trump’s unpredictable diplomacy may limit the tangible results.
