The G7 summit is the big stage for French President Emmanuel Macron this year. The first guests have already arrived at the historic Hotel Royal in Evian, among them Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Brazil is not part of the exclusive G7 club, which includes France, the United States, Germany, the UK, Japan, Italy and Canada. But Macron has deliberately invited a number of key partners beyond the group, expanding the table for some meetings at this summit.
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Red carpets, bright sunshine, a sweeping view of the Alps and the deep blue waters of Lake Geneva – the setting is picture-perfect. There is also a sense of relief: just hours before the summit, US President Donald Trump and Iran announced a framework agreement aimed at ending their conflict.
That deal is expected to dominate discussions in Evian, not least because of what it means for Europe. The focus will be on how European countries can support the agreement and contribute to stabilizing the region.
For Trump, the deal is a political success. The unpredictable guest of the summit could therefore arrive in a positive mood. European leaders will be hoping to use that momentum, with the aim of steering the US president’s attention back to Ukraine.
How new peace talks between Russia and Ukraine can be launched, with the US and European allies working together, will be a key question. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to arrive in Evian on Tuesday morning, adding urgency to those discussions.
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The elegant conference hotel itself is completely sealed off. Here, the leaders have the time and space to focus on major global challenges away from the public eye and political noise.
Around the Hotel Royal, security is at its highest level. Without proper clearance, there is no access. Checkpoints block roads within a radius of several kilometers.
For locals, daily life has come to a halt. “Everything is blocked,” says one restaurant owner. Residents, he adds, are frustrated by constant controls and are largely staying at home.
