Europeans Signal Unity on Ukraine, Iran, and Trade at Pivotal G7 Summit

REPORTING FROM THE G7 LEADERS SUMMIT IN KANANASKIS, CANADA

Reporting from the alpine backdrop of Kananaskis, Alberta — where world leaders once envisioned a hopeful post-Cold War cooperation with Russia in 2002 — the tone at the 2025 G7 summit is markedly different. At a high-stakes press conference today, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa laid out the EU's urgent global priorities: defending Ukraine, deterring Iran, de-escalating in Gaza, and steering a volatile global economy.

Costa: "We Must Show the Way to Stability and Peace"

European Council President António Costa opened the session with a sobering reflection on the weight of G7 leadership in a world mired in conflict. With instability stretching from Eastern Europe to the Middle East, Costa emphasized that the G7 has a duty to act “with responsibility and purpose.”

He called for “frank and open discussions” at the summit to chart a path toward global stability, urging leaders to maintain military and financial support for Ukraine while pushing for an “unconditional ceasefire” and greater pressure on Moscow. Costa reaffirmed the EU’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, warning that “deterrence and defense go hand in hand with diplomacy.”

On the Middle East, he voiced alarm over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and reiterated the EU’s position: Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons. At the same time, he emphasized the urgency of “guaranteeing aid access to Gaza” and securing the conditional release of remaining hostages. Canada, he added, is a “key transatlantic ally” as Europe reinforces its security and diplomatic architecture.

Von der Leyen: "Talk. Discuss. Act."

President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a sharp and strategic message on Europe’s priorities in a world she described as increasingly defined by "geo-politics and geo-economics."

Recalling the 2002 G8 summit in the same Canadian location — then including Russia — she noted how the illusion of Russian-Western convergence has been shattered. “That willingness to work together has proven false,” she said. “We must now build resilient alliances based on trust.”

Among von der Leyen’s top messages:

1. Global Economy Under Pressure The world has endured “two major shocks” in the last decade, she said, and economic uncertainty is now a persistent risk. With trade tensions rising and inflation fears returning, von der Leyen warned that tariffs are harming the very economies imposing them. “Tariffs, like taxes, hit importers,” she said, calling for a G7 commitment to easing global trade and “managing risks together.”

   
   

2. End the Weaponization of Dependencies She urged the G7 to stop “weaponizing economic dependencies” and build trusted supply chains — especially for critical minerals and pharmaceutical products.

   
   

3. Ukraine: Unity and Pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to join the summit on Tuesday. Von der Leyen praised his willingness to discuss a ceasefire while condemning Russia for “escalating the war.” She said EU sanctions have already slashed Russian oil revenue by 80% and encouraged all G7 partners to “stay the course.”

   
   

4. Middle East: Iran and Aid Access Following direct conversations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, von der Leyen reiterated Europe’s position: “Iran is the principal source of regional destabilization,” and Israel retains the right to defend itself. However, she pledged to personally investigate why humanitarian aid is not reaching Gaza.

   
   

5. Iranian Drones in Ukraine and Israel

   European leaders are increasingly concerned about Iranian-manufactured drones used in conflicts from Kyiv to Tel Aviv. Von der Leyen called for joint G7 action to counter this evolving threat.

   
   

6. Oil and Strategic Stability

   She confirmed having spoken to U.S. President Donald Trump about oil market stability, signaling a pragmatic EU stance in a complex geopolitical landscape.

   
   

7. Canada-EU Defense Partnership

   The summit also marks a potential new milestone in EU-Canada defense cooperation. Von der Leyen announced efforts to bring Canada into Europe’s SAFE (Security Architecture for Europe) program. “This is the moment to elevate our already close relationship,” she said. A formal EU-Canada defense agreement may be signed at the next bilateral summit.

   
   
   
   

Looking Ahead: A G7 of the Future

Both leaders underscored the evolution of the G7 since 2002, now absent Russia but joined by a broader circle of global partners, including India and Mexico. “The strength of the G7 is its ability to adapt,” von der Leyen noted. “What we do in the next 50 years depends on the choices we make now.”

As the summit continues, much hinges on Tuesday’s sessions, particularly the face-to-face between President Trump and President Zelenskyy. But the message from Europe is already clear: The G7 must not only respond to crises — it must shape what comes next.

Follow ONEST for more on the G7, Ukraine, global diplomacy, and behind-the-scenes moments from Kananaskis.