Mike Baker

Previous G7 summits were often marked by public disagreements with allies, tense exchanges over trade and security issues.

and the occasional diplomatic bombshell.

European leaders have frequently approached these meetings, wondering what kind of confrontation might erupt next.

This year has been, by most accounts, a bit different.

According to reporting from both Reuters and the Wall Street Journal, the version of Trump who arrived in Evian-Lebanon was noticeably more restrained than many of his counterparts expected.

There were still flashes of Trump's trademark confidence, but the overall tone was far more cooperative and subdued than in recent years.

That shift appears to have created an opening for European leaders to accomplish something that they've been trying to do for months, re-engage President Trump on Ukraine.

Part of the reason for the improved atmosphere was timing.

Of course, Trump arrived in France fresh off the announcement of the preliminary agreement or memorandum of understanding between the U.S.

and Iran.

While the deal has generated criticism in some quarters, particularly among those who question whether Tehran can be trusted to uphold any of its commitments, it was generally welcomed by European leaders.

And that is not difficult to understand.

For much of the past several months, Europe has been dealing with the economic consequences of the conflict with Iran.

Disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz sent shockwaves through global energy markets, driving uncertainty and raising fears of a broader economic downturn.

Now, with the strait set to apparently reopen within the next 30 days and oil prices moving lower, many European governments see the agreement as a major step toward restoring stability.

Hope, of course, springs eternal.

In fact, G7 leaders publicly described the deal as a breakthrough and praised President Trump's role in securing it.

European countries are already discussing ways that they can assist with efforts to secure shipping routes and support implementation of the agreement.

Put simply, while much of the debate in Washington is focused on what concessions were made to Iran, European leaders are looking at the situation through a different lens.

They see an energy crisis that may finally be ending.