Wars in the Middle East and Ukraine are set to dominate the agenda, while leaders will seek to avoid a clash with Trump as he seeks to finalise a framework peace deal with Iran.
In Geneva, businesses were boarded up and hundreds of riot police were deployed in the streets amid prior concerns the about violence. Protests have been common at G7 gatherings over the years, with many demonstrators using the summits to decry capitalism, globalisation, climate change and inequality.
Mattia Piccard, bristled at the strong police presence.
“This is an attempt to frighten demonstrators, to frighten people and discourage them from coming out to protest,” Piccard said.
Clélia Colin, another demonstrator, said she wanted to raise the issue of gender inequality.
“The values represented by the G7 are completely misogynistic, and they contribute to inequality because there is absolutely no equality,” said Colin.