Macron Invites Trump to Dinner After G7 Summit to Boost Ties

Russian outlets describe Macron’s outreach to Trump as part of France’s attempt to boost its own influence inside the Western camp on issues like Ukraine and Iran. They suggest Paris wants to act as a go-between who can talk both to current US leaders and to Trump if he wins again. Russian coverage expects that if Trump attends the G7, he may push for changes in support to Ukraine and in sanctions that Moscow hopes would work in its favour.

• •French leaders are trying to position Paris as the main European contact for Donald Trump.
• •Macron’s invitation is seen as an effort to shape any future US policy shift on Ukraine.
• •Russian commentators expect Trump, if present at the G7, to question the scale of Western aid to Kyiv.
• •Moscow views France’s contacts with Iran and Turkey as part of a Western attempt to limit Russian sway in the Middle East.
• •Russian outlets argue that divisions inside the G7 over Trump could weaken the group’s stance on sanctions.