SEOUL, June 17 (UPI) — The G7 Summit in Calgary was disrupted by U.S. President Donald Trump‘s unexpected early departure, which he attributed to urgent Middle East developments. His abrupt return to Washington derailed scheduled engagements and left several key diplomatic efforts, including those of South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung, unfulfilled.

President Lee arrived in Calgary on the afternoon of June 16, aiming to hold high-level discussions with global leaders, particularly a bilateral meeting with President Trump according to Lee’s office. However, the sudden change in the U.S. president’s schedule led to the cancellation of their planned talks.

South Korea’s National Security Office Director Wi Sung-Lak confirmed that the meeting was effectively canceled, adding that no alternative arrangements could be made due to the disruption of the summit.

The missed opportunity is a setback for the Lee administration, which had hoped to use the G7 platform to deepen strategic ties with the United States and reinforce South Korea’s role in global affairs. The failure to secure direct engagement with President Trump during such a pivotal event could limit Seoul’s diplomatic momentum in the short term.

Despite the setback, President Lee held talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday, though no major outcomes were announced by the close of the summit.