The Group of Seven Most Industrialized Countries vowed permanent support for Ukraine in a statement from its summit in southern Germany on Monday, to counter the Russian offensive. “We will continue to provide financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic assistance and stand by Ukraine as long as it is necessary,” the G7 said.
After speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by video-link from Kyiv for nearly two hours, G7 leaders issued a strong message of solidarity with the beleaguered nation. “As the G7 we stand united in favor of Ukraine and will continue our support. For this, we all have to make tough but necessary decisions,” tweeted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the host of the summit, thanking Zelensky for participating.
We will continue to increase the pressure on Putin. This war has to end.”
Addressing Russia, the G7 said Moscow should allow grain shipments to leave Ukraine to avoid a global food crisis. “We urgently call on Russia to cease its attacks on agricultural and transport infrastructure and to enable the free passage of agricultural shipping from Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea,” it said.
‘not time’
The leaders also called on Moscow to allow Ukrainians to be taken to Russia against their will so that they can return home immediately. “We demand that Russia immediately allow the safe return of Ukrainian citizens who are often taken into Russia without their consent,” he said.
The club of wealthy nations expressed “grave concern” over Russia’s announced plans to deliver missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons to Belarus in the coming months. “We urge Russia to behave responsibly and exercise restraint,” the leaders said.
A G7 source said Zelensky had urged world leaders to do everything possible to end Russia’s invasion of his country by the end of the year, as the war situation would make it difficult for his troops as they Let’s mount a viable defense.
Zelensky stressed the need to take “heavy” punitive action on Russia, and “does not ease the pressure” despite several rounds of sanctions imposed on Moscow by Western allies. He said he was not ready to start talks with Russia, as Kyiv is still seeking to strengthen its position, the French president quoted him as saying.
“President Zelensky gave a very clear response that now is not the time to negotiate. Ukraine will negotiate when it is in a position to do so, that is, when it has basically re-established a position of strength,” said Emmanuel Macron’s office. he said.
The Ukrainian leader later said on his Telegram account that he had asked leaders to lower the price of Russian oil as a means of easing the Russian war chest, funded largely by energy revenues.
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