G7 meeting in Canada: Trump turmoil: Foreign Minister wrestling for unity

Despite the turn of US President Donald Trump to Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin rings Germany and Canada together for unity for the West with the United States. Also in the 50th year of its existence, the G7 round of economic democracies was “a central discussion group that always adapts to the geopolitical challenges and geopolitical times,” said Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) when meeting her G7 colleagues in Charlevoix in Canada in the province of Quebec.

Since Putin attacked Ukraine three years ago, the G7 district has also been a central place to ensure peace in Europe, said Baerbock. “This is more important than ever these days.” Even before the consultations started in Canada, the minister had campaigned for a closed appearance of the round. In addition to Germany, the USA, Canada, Great Britain, France, Italy and Japan are part of the round.

The clear words of the outgoing German Foreign Minister should also be seen against the background that a visit to Canada is expected to be Baerbock’s last big trip to an international meeting. After all, it is also about something like your political legacy, then 151 trips to 77 different countries.

Baerbock: The conversation temperature does not correspond to outside temperature

Against the background, tensions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about dealing with Moscow on the way to negotiations on a ceasefire in Ukraine said Baerbock in the morning: “After our short, evening start meeting, I can definitely say: The conversation temperature does not correspond to the outside temperature in this winter Canada.” According to information from participant circles, Rubio himself did not take part in the reception.

In the past few days, the US Foreign Minister has been in Saudi Arabia for talks with a Ukrainian delegation on possible negotiations with Russia about peace in Ukraine. From there he came to Canada.

Baerbock recognizes Canadian reaction to the USA

The German Foreign Minister praised the Canadian reactions to Trump’s threats against the neighboring country. The positive and human patriotism of the Canadians inspires and “makes it clear how this country is together in these times”. Germany can also learn from this. In the uncertain geopolitical times of the past three years, people have learned that “it is important to keep a cool head, especially in moments when the heart beats higher”.

Baerbock called her Canadian colleague Mélanie Joly a friend. Joly makes it “clear, even in the controversial topics with the neighboring country USA, which is for a strong and self -confident country of Canada”. Baerbock was demonstratively photographed alongside the EU foreign representative Kaja Kallas – the German in a white costume, the Estin in a red dress – the national colors of Canada. On the Bluesky platform, Baerbock published a selfie with Kallas and wrote to Joly: “We support you”.

Trump had repeatedly called the “51st state” and stanked fears of annexation with his trade war including punitive tariffs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently warned of economic destruction by US tariffs, Canada reacts with a boycott of US products.

Canada: Ukraine needs “just and permanent” peace

Joly called for a commitment from the G7 round for a “just and permanent peace” in Ukraine. It summarizes joint achievements such as the containment of Corona pandemic, the “determined reaction to defend Ukrainian sovereignty” or in the fight against foreign interference in sovereign states.

Baerbock named China’s procedure, for example, in the Indopazacifik and the location in Middle East as other central topics of the consultations in Canada. After the first phase of the fire break in the Gaza Strip, there should “definitely no relapse to catastrophic humanitarian times”. The delivery of water, electricity and humanitarian goods must be ensured as a basic requirement for the survival of the people there. With the stop of humanitarian aid deliveries, Israel wants to put pressure on the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas, which still records dozens of Israeli hostages.

G7 wrestles around minimal consensus

It is eagerly awaited whether the G7 foreign ministers can agree on a joint declaration of final this Friday. According to participants, however, this is unclear.