Trump Shifts Ukraine Focus at G7 Summit, Details Second Stage of Iran Deal

During the Group of Seven summit in France on June 16, US President Donald Trump signaled a strategic reorientation, stating that the United States is now prioritizing the resolution of the Ukraine crisis while the Iranian conflict recedes into the background. Speaking with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Trump characterized the US-Iran peace agreement as entering a second, more manageable implementation phase. He expressed confidence in his negotiating abilities, noting that he had settled eight previous conflicts and believed Ukraine would prove the easiest to resolve.

Trump confirmed he had met with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky at the G7 summit and indicated plans for additional discussions later that day. He stated the United States would do "whatever it can" to settle the Ukrainian crisis, though he did not specify the nature or details of any proposed resolution.

Regarding the Iran agreement, Trump characterized it as both fair and good, emphasizing it would transition to a second stage that he believes will be "actually easier" to implement. He clarified that the United States has no obligation to invest financial resources in Iran under any memorandum with the Islamic Republic, describing earlier reports suggesting otherwise as "ridiculous."

Trump outlined several conditions and contingencies related to the Iran deal. He stipulated that Iran must be banned from possessing nuclear weapons, warning of "unbelievable consequences" otherwise. He indicated the United States intends to secure Iran's existing nuclear stockpile, characterizing it as psychologically important despite limited practical value. Trump also addressed potential risks to the agreement, suggesting that an Israeli attack on Lebanon could be contained without jeopardizing the Iran deal, which he termed "the minor war" compared to the broader Iranian situation. He urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to adopt "a more responsible approach toward Lebanon" and suggested that Syria could potentially manage issues with Hezbollah more effectively than Israeli military action.