France says G7 will press China on geopolitics, finance and energy

France's Europe Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated on Friday that the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains from June 15-17 will address geopolitical tensions, financial stability, and energy security, with a direct call for China to help end Russia's war in Ukraine. Barrot said France expects Beijing to use its influence over Moscow to push for peace, noting that "China has a responsibility" given its economic ties to Russia. The summit host—France under President Emmanuel Macron—aims to broaden diplomacy beyond Western allies amid ongoing battlefield stalemates. This appeal comes as Russia accused Ukraine of missile strikes on a student dormitory in occupied Luhansk on Thursday, killing four civilians including two students. Russian-installed officials in Luhansk claimed the attack used U.S.-supplied HIMARS systems; Moscow vowed "retaliation." Ukraine's military denied targeting civilians, stating the strike hit a Russian military facility nearby. Kyiv emphasized compliance with international humanitarian law. The incident underscores the war's civilian toll, now over 11,000 dead since 2022 per UN estimates. At a UN Security Council meeting on Friday, Joyce Msuya, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, warned that the conflict's human cost "defies international law," with 200+ civilians killed or injured weekly in recent months. She cited indiscriminate strikes on schools, hospitals, and homes as a pattern. France's pivot to China reflects growing Western donor fatigue after $200+ billion in aid to Ukraine since 2022, per Britain's House of Commons Library. G7 nations seek new pressure points as sanctions alone fail to deter Moscow. China's leverage over Russia is real but limited—Beijing buys 90% of Russia's seaborne oil exports, sustaining its war economy, yet Xi Jinping has avoided direct criticism of the invasion. Analysts at Politico note China's interests diverge from the West's, prioritizing stability over Ukraine's sovereignty. Évian-les-Bains, site of the 2003 G7 summit, will host leaders from the U.S., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the UK, plus EU representatives. Macron's office confirmed energy transitions and trade rules as agenda items alongside Ukraine. No Chinese attendance is planned, but bilateral outreach is expected.