G7 in Evian: Meloni meets Trump again following tensions; Ukraine and the Strait of Hormuz at the heart of the summit
On the agenda are Ukraine, Iran and security in the Strait of Hormuz, whilst Rome insists on Western unity and an EU capable of speaking ‘with one voice’
Key points
- The Trump Question and Western Unity
Giorgia Meloni arrives at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains with a more delicate political agenda than the others: resuming talks with Donald Trump following the tensions and attacks from the US president in recent months. For the Prime Minister, this is her fourth G7 summit, but also the first opportunity to meet The Donald again in a multilateral setting.
The Trump conundrum and Western unity
Ahead of her trip to France, Meloni is strengthening her relationship with Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, her new ‘friend’ whom she welcomed at Villa Pamphilij in Rome. The focus then shifts to the French side of Lake Geneva, in a heavily guarded and almost deserted Evian. It is here that the small group of leaders from the seven most industrialised economies immediately puts the thorniest issues on the table, before the proceedings are opened up to the other guests, starting with Volodymyr Zelensky.
The most sensitive political issue remains the relationship with Trump. The US president arrives at the summit having celebrated his 80th birthday at the White House, with well-wishes also coming from other leaders, including Zelensky. There have been no recent direct contacts between Meloni and The Donald, at least according to official reports. There may be an opportunity for a face-to-face meeting at the summit, even though a formal bilateral meeting is not on the agenda. Italian sources assure us, however, that there will be a chance to meet ‘with everyone’.
The Prime Minister’s stance remains centred on two points: ‘Western unity’ and the defence of national interests, a phrase Meloni is fond of repeating. The same sources explain that the Prime Minister does not shy away from saying what she thinks ‘clearly and directly’ when she deems it necessary, always with the aim of ‘defending national interests’.
Ukraine, Iran and the Strait of Hormuz
At the G7 summit, Meloni once again called for ‘effective’ responses and greater European coherence on major international issues. For the Prime Minister, multiplying the number of formats does not necessarily mean increasing the effectiveness of the political response. Particularly on Ukraine, the EU must speak ‘with one voice’. This framework could also include the revival of the proposal for a European mediator for Kyiv, an issue set to reach the European Council in Brussels.
