The search for a unified approach to the Syria conflict after last week's suspected chemical attack looked set to dominate as talks between G7 nations got under way in Italy on Monday.
Foreign ministers are focusing on how to pressure Russia to distance itself from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Allies will also be seeking clarity from the US on its Syria policy, after some apparently mixed messages.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson strongly criticised Russia on Sunday.
He said that it had failed to prevent Syria from carrying out a chemical attack on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhoun last Wednesday which left 89 people dead.
But he also clarified there had been "no change to our military posture" in Syria following a retaliatory US strike against a Syrian airbase, and that Washington's "first priority" in Syria was to defeat so-called Islamic State (IS).
Those comments came a day after the US ambassador to the United Nations said there was no way to stabilise Syria with Mr Assad as president.
"In no way do we see peace in that area with Assad as the head of the Syrian government," Nikki Haley told NBC's Meet the Press.
However, she had said last week that Mr Assad's removal was no longer a US priority.
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