Trump says Russia should make peace after Zelenskyy talks at G7

Tuesday, June 16, 2026Confirmed

World Desk

What we know

U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Russia should make a peace deal with Ukraine and that he would do whatever he can to end the war after a very good meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France. Zelenskyy also joined a morning G7 working session that lasted about 75 minutes, and later met Trump with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio present.

A French diplomat said G7 leaders, including Trump, agreed to increase pressure on Russia, notably through sanctions targeting oil and natural gas, and to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses. Zelenskyy said partners discussed more air-defense missiles, production licenses, winter support, and a U.S. backstop; European officials said he showed photos of Russian damage to Kyiv’s Dormition Cathedral.

What's confirmed

Trump: meeting with Zelenskyy very good; Russia should make a deal; will do whatever I can (AP/Al Jazeera/USA Today).
Zelenskyy joined G7 Ukraine session ~75 minutes; separate sideline talks with Trump and Rubio (AP/Kyiv Independent).
French diplomat: G7 agreed more Russia oil-gas pressure and additional air-defense support for Ukraine (AP).
Zelenskyy: air defense, production licenses, winter package, and U.S. backstop discussed; G7 sees Russia not winning (Al Jazeera/AP).

What's still developing

What concrete sanctions or interceptor deliveries follow Tuesday’s political commitments.
Whether Trump-Zelenskyy follow-up talks produce a Putin meeting track before the summit ends.
How far Capitol Hill and European capitals align on oil-gas pressure once Hormuz traffic resumes.

Sources

AP News — G7 summit highlights, June 16, 2026: Trump meets with leaders about Ukraine, Iran wars link
Al Jazeera — Trump says he will push for peace in Ukraine after meeting Zelenskyy at G7 link
USA Today / Reuters — Trump calls for Russia deal with Zelenskiy, vague on pressure link
Kyiv Independent — Zelensky, Trump, Macron hold behind-the-scenes meeting at G7 summit link