Lower thirds:

00:02 Report by / Katharina Kroll
00:28 Donald Trump / US President
00:59 Friedrich Merz / German Chancellor
02:01 Friedrich Merz / German Chancellor
02:34 Emmanuel Macron / French President
03:04 Katharina Kroll / DW Brussels Bureau Chief | Evian, France
03:51 Donald Trump / US President

Script:

Donald Trump arrived at the G7 summit – at the French lakeside resort of Evian looking a little tired - but in a good mood, and notably right on time.

+++ SOT Donald Trump, US President +++
"Everything is very nice. Thank you very much everyone."

And he arrived carrying good news. A framework deal designed to end his war with Iran, the conflict that is putting the global economy under stress - and drawing heavy criticism back home.

+++ SOT Donald Trump, US President +++
"The deal is all signed. And the strait is already partially opened. As you know, they're doing a little hunting for a couple of mines that they've already found, but it's essentially ships are starting to go out now. On Friday it will be completely opened."

Even though many questions around the agreement remain unanswered  - his G7 counterparts offered congratulations – and pledges to back up Trump’s deal with diplomatic support and military hardware.

+++ SOT Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor +++
"I have given President Trump my word. We want to do our bit to help ensure that peace is achieved. This may also mean recognising that we are part of this, that we are using military means to help ensure the freedom of navigation for the Strait of Hormuz in the long term. As soon as the relevant conditions – which you are all familiar with – are met."
 
And with Trump in a dealmaking mood, Europeans seized the moment to shift the dial on the OTHER war dominating the agenda.

Leaders came prepared.

They wanted to convince Trump to get tougher on Russia. And secure a seat at the table for future peace talks.
Host Emmanuel Macron made sure Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy got an invitation, and plenty of facetime with the US president. And: Trump’s rhetoric DID shift.

+++ SOT Donald Trump, US President +++
"Russia should make a deal."

That was the statement the G7 and President Zelenskyy had been hoping for.

+++ SOT Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor +++
"The support for Ukraine from this group is as strong as rarely before.  All G7 partners will increase their military and financial contributions to Ukraine. And the message to Russia is just as clear: All G7 partners will step up pressure on Moscow, including through sanctions.  This sets a new tone in transatlantic unity and determination. It might take us a crucial step forward toward peace negotiations."

Well‑prepared, behind‑closed‑doors discussions in a small circle appear to have paid off. Donald Trump shifted his position and joined the common statement to strengthen the sanctions on Russia, including those on oil and gas.

+++ SOT Emanuelle MACRON, President France +++
"I, for one, have always trusted President Trump because I've always been honest with him. When we have disagreements, we own up to them. But whenever he made a commitment to us, he always kept it. That was what he had committed to. And now, today, the United States of America has made a commitment on this issue."

For the first time in a long while, the seven partners are in agreement - both in their assessment of the situation and in the conclusions they have drawn from it. Now, that has to be implemented. Trump kept the details vague.

+++ PTC: Katharina Kroll +++
"Looking ahead, this G7 summit could prove to be an important milestone. If, in the coming weeks or months, new negotiations with Russia DO begin – with Europe at the table - then these days in Evian may have helped to set that process back in motion."

To try and get there, Europe flexed all its diplomatic muscle…and it seems to have paid off

+++ SOT Donald Trump ++++
"I'm the boss."

Perhaps the gifts and parties helped keep an unpredictable president in a good mood.
A Germany football top for the 47th US President, as his country co-hosts the World Cup.
And Macron rolled out the red carpet with a lavish dinner at the palace of Versailles.

+++ SOT Donald Trump, US President +++
"I’m a fan of beautiful places, and I was leaving in the afternoon, and then the French president who happens to be a very nice man, invited me to dinner at Versailles. And Versailles is not gold leaf - Versailles is the real deal. And I said I’d like to do it."

At last year’s G7 summit, Trump took off early. So just keeping him here in France will be seen as a success.
But keeping him on side and delivering results will be the bigger challenge for Europe when the red carpets are rolled away. 

END