G7 Meeting Ends with Joint Statement Despite Reported Splits Over Iran War, Ukraine
The first meeting of allied foreign ministers since the start of the Iran war ended with a joint statement, even as tensions surfaced over burden-sharing and the risk of weakening support for Ukraine.
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It was the first meeting of allied foreign ministers since the Iran war began, and the G7 gathering in France quickly showed the strain. Ministers met at the Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay near Paris with two wars hanging over the talks: the fighting in Iran and Russia’s war against Ukraine. European officials worried that the new Middle East conflict could pull attention and resources away from Kyiv, while the US pressed allies to do more on Gulf security.
Unease Over an unpredictable US line
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio rejected any suggestion of a rift in the room. “We had really good meetings,” he said after the talks. Asked whether any G7 ministers were upset, he replied: “They never act that way in front of me.” Rubio said the US could meet its aims in Iran without ground troops and argued the campaign should end in “weeks, not months.”
Still, the differences were clear. European ministers pressed Rubio for clarity on the aims of the US-Israeli campaign against Iran and on whether diplomacy still had a path forward. They also voiced concern that Russia was helping Tehran and warned that the Iran war must not weaken support for Ukraine.
‘Not our war’ on both sides
The split showed early. France made clear the Iran war “is not ours,” reflecting how several US allies distanced themselves from the Russian offensive and emphasized diplomacy instead. At the same time, Rubio argued that Ukraine “isn’t our war,” sharpening unease among allies.
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That same frustration carried into the room. Bloomberg reported that Rubio complained to fellow ministers that the US is constantly asked to help on Ukraine, but got little enthusiasm when it wanted allied backing on security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
Ukraine still a core focus
For European governments, one of the biggest concerns was that a prolonged Iran campaign could siphon off political attention, military resources, and air defense assets needed by Ukraine. Rubio acknowledged that US weapons intended for Ukraine could be redirected to the Middle East if necessary, although he said that had not yet happened.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said there “must be no cuts when it comes to maintaining Ukraine’s defense capability.”
Speaking to RFE/RL yesterday, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux rejected concerns that escalating tensions in the Middle East are diverting attention away from Ukraine.
“It could be a risk, but it’s not a reality,” he said.
He said Ukraine remained a core focus of the meeting, with ministers holding a dedicated session on support for Kyiv and Ukraine’s foreign minister joining the talks.
“This G7 was created to allow leaders to discuss in trust the most important international issues,” he said. “Among them, of course, there will be Iran and the Middle East, but also Ukraine.”
France, which holds the G7 presidency, hosted a special session on support for Ukraine, attended in person by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, G7 ministers, and the EU’s top diplomat.
Allies push diplomacy
The sharpest policy differences were over Iran. AP reported that Britain, France, and Germany all stressed a diplomatic track, even while discussing what role they might play after the fighting ends. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said London had supported defensive action but taken “a different approach on the offensive action” in the conflict.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin was ready to help secure shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after the fighting ends and said his goal was to expand common ground among allies.
Rubio used the meeting to press allies to think ahead about maritime security and the wider fallout from the conflict.
Despite the strains, the G7 did agree on a joint statement. The ministers called for “an immediate cessation of attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure” and said there could be no justification for deliberately targeting civilians or diplomatic facilities. They stressed “the absolute necessity” of restoring safe, toll-free freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement also addressed the wider economic fallout. Ministers said they were working to contain disruptions to energy, fertilizer, and commercial supply chains, underscoring how the Strait of Hormuz had become central to the talks as the conflict rattled oil markets and global trade.
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