Leaders from some of the world's biggest economic powers are arriving in Canada today for a summit of the Group of Seven (G7) of the richest liberal democracies under the shadow of spreading war in the Middle East and US President Donald Trump's unresolved trade war with both allies and rivals.
Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory strikes, which appear to have surprised many world officials, are the latest sign of a more insecure world as US President Trump seeks to withdraw the United States from its role as the world's policeman, writes the AP.
In remarks on a plane en route to Canada, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had spoken with Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other world leaders about efforts to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East.
Britain is sending its warplanes and other military reinforcements to the Middle East.
"We have long been concerned about Iran's nuclear program. We recognize Israel's right to self-defense, but I am very clear that de-escalation is needed. There is a huge risk of escalation for the region and beyond," Starmer said, adding that he expects "intense discussions" to continue at the summit.
Host of the summit bringing together the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Great Britain and the United States, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has decided to abandon the annual practice of issuing a joint statement at the end of the meeting.
As world leaders seek to talk to Trump in an effort to dissuade him from imposing tariffs, there is a risk that the summit will turn into a series of bilateral talks rather than a show of unity.
The meeting has cast a shadow over Trump's inflammatory threats to turn Canada into the 51st US state and to take over Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. French President Emmanuel Macron will make a symbolic stop in Greenland on his way to Canada and the summit, where he will meet with the leader of the Arctic territory and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on a Danish helicopter carrier.
Macron is one of the few leaders who knew Trump during his first term and is the first European leader to visit the White House when Trump took office in his second term, and the meeting at the White House went well.
But despite the good relations between the two leaders, Macron's approach to Trump has not yielded any major results, and France has been affected by Trump's planned tariffs on EU countries.
Macron has also failed to secure any US security guarantees for Ukraine, which he has tried to do with British Prime Minister Starmer. They are trying to create a coalition of nations that would deploy forces to Ukraine after a possible ceasefire with Russia, in the hope of convincing the Trump administration to provide support.
Trump is expected to arrive in Kananaskis, Alberta, where the summit is taking place, late today. There are likely to be bilateral meetings between the leaders today, but the summit program begins on Monday.
Leaders who are not part of the G7 but have been invited to the summit include the heads of state of India, Ukraine, Brazil, South Africa, South Korea, Australia, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates.
One of the main topics expected to be how to avoid US tariffs is expected to be on the agenda. The war in Ukraine will also be on the agenda. President Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled to attend the summit and is expected to meet with Trump.
Bonus video:
