G7 hails unity on Russia as Trump signals tougher line on Moscow
G7 leaders welcomed growing unity on Wednesday in efforts to ratchet up pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine, with US President Donald Trump signalling a tougher line on Moscow. Later, at a candlelit dinner in Versailles, Trump signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran on ending the Middle East conflict. The Russian rouble weakened toward 96 against the dollar.
G7 leaders showed unusual cohesion on the closing day of the Évian summit, hosted by Emmanuel Macron, on tightening pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump said he would respond "very harshly" if Vladimir Putin failed to come to the table — a marked shift from his more cautious tone toward Moscow in recent months.
French President Macron told a joint press conference that the G7 communiqué would include further sanctions targeting Russia's shadow oil tanker fleet and a fresh €35 billion financing package for Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer both welcomed Trump's new stance; a brief Évian visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was described as "a game-changer".
Later that evening at the Palace of Versailles, Trump signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian aimed at ending the war between the two countries. Macron hosted the ceremony. Markets reacted on both fronts: Brent crude slid to $71 a barrel, the Russian rouble weakened toward 96 against the dollar, and Moscow's MOEX index fell 1.8%.
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