G7 summit ends without major deals as leaders struggle to unite after Trump's exit

Pakistan, June 18 -- The Group of Seven (G7) summit ended without any major joint agreements, as world leaders failed to present a united stance on key global issues after U.S. President Donald Trump's early departure. The leaders of Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan met in Kananaskis, Alberta, where discussions centered on Russia's war in Ukraine and the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte joined the talks during the final day. Zelenskyy urged global support and pushed for peace negotiations, calling for pressure on Russia to initiate a ceasefire. However, despite hours of talks, the summit closed without a joint statement on Ukraine, revealing cracks in consensus.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and other leaders did reach some common ground on economic issues. They agreed to counter non-market practices that threaten access to critical minerals and also pledged to manage the risks of artificial intelligence on jobs and the environment. Still, these points lacked the weight of a unified global strategy on security concerns.

Trump's absence at a planned meeting with Zelenskyy added to the uncertainty. Although the U.S. had earlier signed a deal granting access to Ukraine's mineral resources, it reportedly opposed a joint statement about the Ukraine conflict, citing ongoing efforts to promote negotiations with Russia.

Confusion further clouded the summit when a senior Canadian official claimed a draft statement had been blocked by the U.S., only for the prime minister's spokesperson to later deny that such a proposal had even been circulated among leaders. This conflicting messaging added to concerns about disunity within the G7.

Despite the disagreements, individual leaders met with Zelenskyy privately and reassured him of their continued support. However, with no final declaration on Ukraine or other pressing issues, the summit ended on an underwhelming note, raising questions about the G7's ability to lead during times of global crisis.