A two-day meeting of the foreign ministers of the «Group of Seven» countries begins in Paris on 9 November, at which one of the main issues will be continued support for Ukraine and preparations for the talks between Kyiv, Washington and Moscow in Abu Dhabi. European allies will also seek to ascertain whether US President Donald Trump’s foreign policy will change following the Republicans’ defeat in the mid-term congressional elections. Diplomats will pay particular attention to the shortage of missiles for Ukraine’s air defence, Russian attacks on the energy sector and the prospects for further military and financial aid.
- A meeting of the G7 foreign ministers is taking place in Paris on 9–10 November.
- Ukraine will be one of the main topics ahead of the trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi.
- The allies will discuss the shortage of air defence missiles and Russian attacks on the energy sector.
- Europe will be assessing the impact of the Republicans’ defeat on Trump’s foreign policy.
- A separate meeting attended by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister is scheduled for 10 November.
Ukraine will be one of the key topics at the G7 summit
The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States have gathered in Paris to discuss international crises. Representatives from Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Korea and Brazil have also been invited to attend selected meetings.
The meeting is taking place the day before negotiations Ukraine, the US and Russia, scheduled for 10–11 November in Abu Dhabi. European allies are seeking to coordinate their positions on possible peace agreements and future security guarantees for Ukraine.
According to Reuters, there remain differences amongst European countries regarding the format of their participation in the diplomatic process. The Prime Minister of Italy George Maloney She had previously warned that Europe risked losing its influence in the negotiations if countries continued to act individually rather than formulating a common strategy.
It is expected that the issue of the European representation will be discussed during a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Allies to discuss the shortage of air defence missiles and the energy crisis
One of the key topics will be the situation in Ukraine following the escalation of Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. Western diplomats, as reported by Reuters, believe that Moscow is attempting to cause widespread power cuts this winter through a series of targeted strikes.
Against this backdrop, Kyiv needs additional air defence systems and interceptor missiles. European partners will also discuss funding for reconstruction work, the supply of energy equipment and assistance to get through the heating season.
A separate meeting dedicated to supporting Ukraine is scheduled for 10 November. The Foreign Secretary will take part in it Andriy Sibiga. The French side identified three main areas for discussion: air defence, financial support and energy security.
A donor conference is also scheduled to take place in Paris on 9 November to discuss the restoration of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station’s protective arch, which was damaged by a Russian strike in 2025.
The Republicans’ defeat in the US has influenced the G7 agenda
The participants at the meeting will pay particular attention to US foreign policy following mid-term elections to Congress, in which the Republicans suffered heavy losses.
According to diplomats, the results of the vote may limit the White House’s freedom of action on certain issues, but do not signify an automatic return by the US to its traditional model of cooperation with its allies. Key foreign policy decisions remain within President Trump’s remit.
For. Marco Rubio The meeting in Paris will be the first major opportunity to discuss Washington’s international policy with its partners following the election. Allies are keen to understand whether the new balance of power in Congress will affect the US approach to Ukraine, NATO and sanctions against Russia.
Iran and the Middle East were also on the agenda
In addition to the war in Ukraine, G7 representatives will discuss the escalating tensions surrounding Iran and the possibility of further US military strikes. European countries fear a further escalation of the conflict and are calling for a diplomatic solution.
A separate issue will be the security of maritime shipping and energy supplies, which have been severely disrupted by the hostilities in the Middle East.
France also plans to raise the issue of the future international presence in southern Lebanon. Paris is keen to establish a new security mechanism under the auspices of the UN; however, the positions of France and the US on this issue may differ.
