G7 foreign ministers meet in Paris to address Middle East, Ukraine crises

G7 foreign ministers opened a two-day meeting in Paris on Monday, aiming to prevent further escalation between the United States and Iran and to push for a resolution to end the war in Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed his participation alongside counterparts from Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, and Japan. He noted that the meeting is being held at the French Foreign Ministry headquarters after being moved from Marseille due to scheduling reasons.

The French Foreign Ministry stated that the Middle East would be central to the discussions, with a focus on maritime security, the Strait of Hormuz, and energy issues. This comes after recent tensions, including US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran's closure of the strait, which led to a spike in energy prices.

The conflict in the Middle East has widened, with Hezbollah opening a front against Israel, which responded with airstrikes and ground incursions, while Iran retaliated against US strikes by targeting countries in the region. The French Foreign Ministry emphasized that Lebanon is a diplomatic priority and will be discussed, as Paris seeks to establish an international mechanism following the end of the UNIFIL mandate in southern Lebanon at the end of December.

This meeting marks the first foreign visit for the US Secretary of State after the Democrats' victory in the midterm elections and their gaining control of Congress. The gathering allows Washington's allies to assess the direction of the Donald Trump administration, particularly regarding Ukraine, which will be a key topic of discussion.

The meeting coincides with upcoming US-brokered talks between Moscow and Kyiv in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday and Wednesday, aimed at ending the war. European leaders are seeking to evaluate the impact of the US elections on support for Kyiv and policy toward Russia, while stressing their intention to play a prominent role in future negotiations.

Jared Kushner, Trump's envoy, said the United States will closely consult with European partners during the Abu Dhabi talks, adding that progress could pave the way for broader negotiations with direct European involvement.