Before the G7 Summit: Europe’s, Canada’s, and the UK’s leaders held an informal meeting at a Canadian resort
A few hours before the official start of the G7 international summit, which is taking place these days in a Canadian resort town in Ontario, an important informal meeting of the leaders of the world’s seven leading economies was held. This gathering brought together the heads of France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Canada to discuss the most pressing issues of international politics and security. According to sources of "European Pravda" and reports from Italian media, notably Sky TG24, the meeting took place in a relaxed, informal atmosphere — in the warm setting of a resort hotel, where the official summit session would later be held. The leaders began the dialogue with greetings and jokes, which helped ease the tension and foster a friendly environment. It is reported that these brief yet meaningful breaks in the discussions provided participants with an opportunity to outline their positions even before the official debates. Special attention was focused on issues of global security, particularly the situation surrounding the conflict between Israel and Iran. Italian diplomats reported that active efforts are underway in governments and diplomatic circles to reach a consensus on a unified position, with the aim of acting in a coordinated manner within a broader coalition. The main goal is to formulate common approaches that can ensure effective coordination with Washington and take into account the interests of U.S. President Donald Trump. Currently, this aspect remains one of the main diplomatic hurdles. Meanwhile, the main topic of the informal discussion was the situation surrounding the war in Ukraine and the application of sanctions. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that Russia must feel increased pressure to achieve a ceasefire. She called on G7 countries to strengthen their sanctions measures to create additional pressure on the Kremlin. At the same time, the EU is preparing to adopt a new package of economic restrictions, as diplomatic efforts toward a direct resolution of the conflict are currently delayed. On their part, the United States remains cautious about new sanctions, primarily due to President Trump’s desire not to jeopardize the possibility of a quick ceasefire. In response to requests for the introduction of restrictions, he emphasized that excessive pressure at this moment could slow down the diplomatic process, which is a priority for Washington. An official U.S. spokesperson stated: "We are not seeking to hinder the ceasefire; on the contrary, we are looking for ways to achieve it." On June 20, the European Commission presented the 18th package of sanctions against Russia, which proposes significant strengthening of restrictions and expanding their scope. All of this is happening amid tense diplomatic battles within the international community. Despite efforts by the EU and the U.S., disagreements among key actors regarding the use of sanctions remain, complicating the formation of a unified course toward resolving the crisis. Thus, on the eve of the G7 summit, leaders are engaged in a tense diplomatic game, seeking a common language on global challenges: from the Middle East conflict and the war in Ukraine to relations with Russia. It is important to emphasize that these negotiations and informal meetings are no less significant than formal sessions, as it is during such moments that the foundations for future joint actions are laid. In the coming days in Canada, the international community anticipates clear responses and decisions capable of changing the course of global processes.