TheG7 Summitin Evian-les-Bains, France, may have been dominated by discussions on Ukraine, Iran, trade and global security, but some of the most talked-about moments emerged far away from the negotiating table. Open microphones captured world leaders exchanging jokes, discussing football, congratulating each other on personal milestones and even debating bicycles and birthday gifts.
The unscripted conversations offered a rare glimpse into the personalities behind the official statements. While leaders spent much of the summit addressing some of the world's most pressing crises, the hot-mic moments revealed a lighter and more human side of diplomacy.
From Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's revelation that she had stopped smoking to US President Donald Trump's comments on Greenland and French President Emmanuel Macron temporarily losing track of his watch, the summit generated a collection of memorable moments that quickly spread across social media.
One of the most widely discussed exchanges involved Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. During a casual conversation before meetings began, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz asked whether she had already smoked a cigarette that morning. Meloni responded that she had not smoked since May 1, prompting immediate applause from leaders seated around the table. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and several European officials joined in congratulating her.
The moment quickly turned humorous when Carney jokingly asked whether Meloni was using a nicotine patch. The Italian leader responded by raising both hands in celebration as laughter spread around the room. Football also entered the summit discussions. Leaders were overheard discussing the FIFA World Cup, with remarks about France's national team, Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League success and even Cape Verde's impressive draw against Spain.
Another moment that attracted attention involved President Trump and European Council President António Costa. During a brief exchange, Trump appeared to make a cryptic reference to Greenland before the remainder of the conversation became inaudible. The remark immediately sparked speculation because of Trump's long-standing interest in the Danish autonomous territory. No further explanation was offered, leaving observers guessing about the context.
Meanwhile, Macron inadvertently became the centre of another light-hearted exchange when Mark Carney noticed that the French President had apparently left his watch behind before a working lunch. Carney joked that they now had Macron's watch, prompting Trump to respond: "Give me it if he left, gimme," drawing laughter from nearby leaders.
The summit also produced another "Melodi" moment involvingPrime Minister Narendra Modiand Giorgia Meloni. Greeting each other before the traditional family photograph, Meloni told Modi it was nice to meet him again. When Modi referenced Instagram, seemingly acknowledging their popularity on social media, Meloni quickly replied: "Yes, we are the most famous on Instagram."
Beyond the jokes, microphones also captured more serious discussions. Macron was overheard discussing Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and offering to help arrange a meeting with Trump. Elsewhere, Carney was heard explaining Canada's limited electric vehicle import arrangement with China, telling Trump that strict caps had been imposed.
Yuvraj Tyagi is a Senior Copy Editor, specializing in security, national, international and defense affairs. With extensive experience covering the Ka...View More
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