Trump to join Zelensky at G7 work session before Versailles gala with Macron
U.S. President Donald Trump will share a working table with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the G7 summit in Évian next week, ahead of a celebratory dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron at Versailles.
A summit framed by diplomacy and ceremony
The G7 summit opens on Monday in the French spa town of Évian-les-Bains and runs through Wednesday. According to a senior U.S. official who briefed reporters on Saturday, President Trump will hold a bilateral meeting with President Macron upon arrival on Monday. The three-day gathering will also see Trump sit down for one-on-one talks with the leaders of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and India.
The French presidency has described the summit as an occasion to mark the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence in a venue steeped in Franco‑American history. On Wednesday evening, after the official programme concludes, Trump will visit the Palace of Versailles, walk through the Hall of Mirrors, and then attend a gala dinner accompanied by a light-and-fountain show and fireworks in the gardens.
- Arrival in Évian-les-Bains; bilateral meeting with Emmanuel Macron
- Working session with Volodymyr Zelensky; one-on-one talks with Qatari, Emirati, Egyptian and Indian leaders
- Summit concludes; evening gala dinner at Versailles with Macron, light show and fireworks
Trump and Zelensky: a shared table, not a bilateral
On Tuesday, Trump and Zelensky will take part in the same working session of the summit. The U.S. official stressed that no formal bilateral meeting between the two presidents is on Trump’s schedule, but acknowledged they “could very well cross paths on the margins” of the session. The official called the 79‑year‑old American president the only international leader capable of ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, without elaborating.
European members of the G7, led by host France, intend to use the Évian meeting to advance their Ukraine agenda — if not by bringing Washington fully on board, then at least by preventing Trump from undermining their efforts. Zelensky’s presence creates an opening to present his intentions for a meeting with Vladimir Putin, an idea he floated a week ago in a public letter. Putin immediately rejected the overture, while Trump welcomed it.
Middle East and trade loom large
Accelerating talks on a U.S.–Iran deal will be top of mind in Évian, where Trump will meet three leaders from the region. One topic could be the possible participation of France and the United Kingdom in mine‑clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz, the same U.S. official said. A second American official praised France’s decision to put trade imbalances on the summit agenda — an issue dear to Trump, who has launched a global protectionist push that has not spared his G7 allies — calling it a “very intelligent” and “relevant” choice.
It’s a very easy conversation. It has nothing to do with the hysterical way it’s presented in the press, and we are very pleased with the burden‑sharing efforts underway and we want to see more.
The White House says Trump wants to discuss artificial intelligence, immigration, innovation and energy with his partners.
NATO tensions played down
The same official sought to minimise friction between Trump and allies over the U.S. commitment to NATO, several of whose leaders will be present in France. The conversation on burden‑sharing was described as straightforward and productive, with the U.S. side signalling it expects further progress.
The last meeting between Trump and Zelensky dates back to the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2026.
