French President Emmanuel Macron declared the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains an “objectively successful” gathering on Wednesday, highlighting rare unity among major economies on Ukraine, Iran and critical minerals, even as questions persist over the durability of transatlantic alignment under US President Donald Trump.

Speaking at the close of the three-day summit, Macron said leaders had reached a joint declaration backed by all members, including Washington, marking what he described as a turning point in cooperation after months of uncertainty over US engagement in multilateral diplomacy.

In the lead-up to the meeting, European officials had feared a repeat of last year’s fractured summit in Canada, where disagreements over trade, security and Middle East conflicts left allies divided. This time, however, diplomats pointed to coordinated language on Ukraine and renewed commitments to pressure Russia as evidence of improved alignment.

The G7 statement reaffirmed “unwavering support” for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while also committing to stronger sanctions on Russian energy exports. European officials described the agreement as a significant step toward closing gaps with Washington on strategy toward Moscow.

Macron said the summit reflected “a very profound shift” in US-European relations, noting that G7 members now appeared more willing to coordinate closely on security challenges. He added that Western capitals had reached similar conclusions regarding Russia’s lack of readiness for meaningful peace negotiations with Kyiv.

European sources said Trump’s administration had shown openness to reconsidering tougher measures on Russian energy exports, though no timetable was set. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended parts of the summit but did not secure a bilateral meeting with Trump, speaking only briefly on the sidelines of group discussions.

Alongside Ukraine, leaders also welcomed progress on a US-Iran framework agreement aimed at ending the conflict and stabilising global energy flows. European officials said the deal could ease pressure on markets while reducing regional escalation risks, though concerns remain over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Behind the scenes, EU officials said limited diplomatic contacts were being explored with Moscow through indirect channels, although Brussels stressed it does not view itself as a mediator in the conflict.

Despite signs of coordination, uncertainty remains over the future of transatlantic diplomacy. Trump’s bilateral and often unpredictable approach to foreign policy continues to create concern among European allies, even as cooperation at the summit appeared to improve.

Macron nevertheless emphasised that Europe had secured a stronger position in shaping discussions, saying the bloc had “found its place at the table” through a combination of diplomacy and strategic engagement.

As leaders departed Évian, European diplomats described the outcome as pragmatic rather than transformative — a workable consensus shaped by shared interests rather than full alignment.

The summit concluded with Trump attending a state dinner at Versailles marking 250 years of Franco-American relations, underscoring both the symbolism and the continuing complexity of the partnership between Washington and Europe.