Group of Seven leaders on Tuesday (June 17, 2025) vowed better assist for Ukraine however stopped wanting a joint condemnation of Russia for its rising assaults, at a summit lacking Donald Trump.
The U.S. President had been because of communicate on the G7 summit along with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with whom he has had a unstable relationship, however flew again Monday (June 16, 2025) over the Israel-Iran battle.
Mr. Zelenskyy met the remaining leaders at a distant lodge within the Canadian Rockies hours after Russia hit Kyiv with one of many worst bombardments because it invaded in February 2022, killing not less than 10 individuals within the capital.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed Mr. Zelenskyy and introduced Can$2 billion ($1.47billion) of navy assist, together with drones and helicopters, for Ukraine.
But the G7 summit stopped wanting issuing a joint assertion, not like in previous years below Mr. Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, when the membership of main industrial democracies denounced Russian “aggression.”
A Canadian official, backtracking on an earlier account of the United States making an attempt to water down a proposed assertion, mentioned there was by no means an try to subject one because of Mr. Trump’s continued hopes of mediating with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“It was clear that it would not have been feasible to find detailed language that all G7 partners could agree to in that context,” the official mentioned on situation of anonymity.
Mr. Carney dismissed solutions of friction, saying that every one G7 leaders agreed to be “resolute in exploring all options to maximize pressure on Russia, including financial sanctions.”
But he admitted that some G7 leaders “would say above and beyond” what was within the chair’s abstract he issued as a substitute of a proper assertion signed by all leaders.
G7 leaders, nonetheless, managed unity Monday (June 16, 2025) on a joint assertion on the Iran battle that backed Israel but additionally known as broadly for de-escalation, regardless of Mr. Trump considering better U.S. navy involvement.
U.S. waits on stress
Mr. Carney earlier joined Britain in tightening sanctions on Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of ships used to avoid worldwide sanctions on its oil gross sales.
“These sanctions strike right at the heart of Mr. Putin’s war machine, choking off his ability to continue his barbaric war in Ukraine,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer mentioned in a press release.
U.S. lawmakers have drafted a bundle of recent sanctions on Russia, however Mr. Trump has been hesitant to provide his assist and isolate Mr. Putin, to whom he spoke by phone on the eve of the G7 summit.
Mr. Trump infamously berated Mr. Zelenskyy within the Oval Office on February 28, saying he was ungrateful for U.S. assist, however has since voiced disappointment that Mr. Putin has rebuffed a U.S. proposal for not less than a short lived ceasefire.
Mr. Zelenskyy informed Mr. Carney the newest Russian assault confirmed the necessity for allies’ assist and stress on Moscow – whereas making clear that he nonetheless backed Mr. Trump-led requires negotiations.
“It’s important for our soldiers to be strong in the battlefield, to stay strong until Russia will be ready for the peace negotiations,” mentioned Mr. Zelenskyy, who minimize quick conferences in Canada scheduled after the summit.
French President Emmanuel Macron accused his Russian counterpart of exploiting world deal with the Middle East to hold out the lethal assault.
“It shows the complete cynicism of President Putin,” Mr. Macron informed reporters on the summit.
In Washington, the State Department additionally condemned the Russian strikes and provided condolences to the victims’ households.
Tough commerce talks
The G7 – Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States – was holding its first summit for the reason that re-election of Mr. Trump, who brazenly questions longstanding U.S. alliances.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent remained to signify the United States on the summit, the place discussions have additionally targeting Mr. Trump’s makes an attempt to radically overhaul the world’s buying and selling system.
Mr. Trump has vowed to slap sweeping tariffs on pals and foes alike on July 9, though he has postponed them as soon as.
The U.S. President, chatting with reporters on his method again from the summit, complained that the European Union was not but providing a “fair deal” on commerce.
“We’re either going to make a good deal or they’ll just pay whatever we say they will pay,” he mentioned.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned she nonetheless hoped for a negotiated answer and talks have been “intense and demanding.”
Mr. Trump’s negotiators have already sealed a cope with Britain and, exterior of the G7, reached an settlement to decrease tariffs with rival China.
Published – June 19, 2025 12:00 am IST
