G7 countries pledge renewed support for Ukraine

TT

Published 05.18

 

Representatives, with their respective, of the G7 countries gathered in France. Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP/TT

In a joint statement, the G7 countries express their continued support for Ukraine and commit to putting increased pressure on the Russian war economy through new sanctions.

“We, the leaders of the G7, stand united in our unwavering support for Ukraine to defend its freedom, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” they write in connection with the meeting in Évian-les-Bains, France.

To further support the country’s “progress on the battlefield” and “new momentum” in recent months, the countries have agreed on, among other things, increased deliveries of various air defense systems and support to “help the country through the coming winter.”

According to the G7, now is also an opportune time to impose new sanctions on Russia, targeting, among other things, the country's oil and gas sector, as the US and Iran have reached an agreement that will see the Strait of Hormuz reopened.

The informal G7 (Group of Seven) consists of seven of the world's leading industrialized countries that are also considered democracies: France, Italy, Japan, Canada, the UK, Germany and the US. Until 2014, Russia was also part of the group, which was then called the G8.

In addition to the leaders of the countries above, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also participating in the meeting.