Trump walks out on G7, leaving allies in lurch over Russia policy

The author of the Resurgam Telegram channel has analyzed the issue.

The summit, widely seen as a major test for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, quickly became a showcase of diplomatic theater aimed at appeasing Trump. Canadian media noted that Carney, known for his quiet but effective style, worked tirelessly behind the scenes to align the group’s positions and keep the American president engaged.

From the moment Trump landed, leaders rolled out the red carpet. Carney and his wife greeted him with full honors, and the first day was filled with gestures designed to win Trump’s favor. 

British Prime Minister Starmer signed a trade agreement framework with Trump, while European Council President António Costa presented him with a Cristiano Ronaldo jersey, personally signed for the occasion. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen dangled lucrative energy market opportunities for American companies, and Ukraine announced new investment openings that could benefit Trump’s associates.

Despite these efforts, the real test was set for the second day, when leaders planned to discuss tougher sanctions on Russia and increased support for Ukraine—topics known to irritate Trump. To avoid confrontation, the summit even scrapped its traditional final communiqué, hoping to keep Trump on board informally.

But as the second day approached, Trump abruptly left the summit, informing leaders only through a White House press release that cited escalating tensions in the Middle East. Many saw this as a flimsy excuse, given that the situation had been public knowledge for days and Trump’s return to Washington would take just a few hours.

Trump’s early exit was widely interpreted as a snub to Carney’s hospitality and a slight to European leaders, reinforcing perceptions of his indifference to transatlantic unity. Observers noted that Trump appeared uninterested in discussions about increasing pressure on Moscow, preferring instead to collect diplomatic “gifts” and leave before any difficult conversations.

The episode underscored a growing sense among America’s allies that President Trump is more aligned with Moscow, Beijing, or Pyongyang than with London, Paris, or Berlin—and that he is increasingly focused on personal gain, whether through business ventures or media projects, rather than traditional presidential leadership.

• U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he needed to return to Washington from the G7 summit in Canada "as soon as possible" to deal with the situation in the Middle East.