Marking 1,000 days since Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine, G7 leaders pledged to support Kiev “for as long as necessary.”
At the request of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who currently leads the rotating G7 Presidency, the leaders of the G7 countries of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States have adopted a statement pledging to: did. To “enduring support for Ukraine.”
In a statement, the G7 said: “We, the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), reaffirm our unwavering support to Ukraine for as long as necessary. Contribute to the fight. We also recognize the impact of Russian aggression on vulnerable people around the world.
“After 1,000 days of war, we recognize the immense suffering endured by the Ukrainian people. Despite these hardships, Ukrainians have fought unparalleled efforts to protect their land, culture and people. They have shown extraordinary resilience and determination.
“Russia remains the only obstacle to a just and lasting peace. The G7 affirms its commitment to impose harsh costs on Russia through sanctions, export controls and other effective measures. We stand united with Ukraine. I will stand.”
The promise came amid US President-elect Donald Trump's efforts to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. According to media reports, President Trump agreed to allow the West to continue arming Ukraine and to demilitarize it in exchange for Kyiv agreeing to cede territory to Russia and abandon its quest to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for a period of time. The plan is to seek a compromise solution that would include patrolling the area by a third party.
Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been unable to regain territory currently controlled by Russia, he has consistently urged Russia to withdraw all its troops, including from Crimea, as a precondition for peace negotiations. This is likely not a start for Vladimir Putin.
On Saturday, President Zelenskiy said he would “do everything possible to end this war next year” and that the conflict must be ended by “diplomatic means”.
But as he attacked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who met with President Putin for the first time in years on Friday, the Ukrainian leader said Western countries should involve Ukraine in any negotiations and support Kiev to maximize influence. insisted that it be done.
“Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are possible under the conditions that Ukraine is not alone hostile to the Russian Federation, under the conditions that Ukraine is strong. What is the negotiation of just talking to the culprits?” he said According to state media Ukrinform.
Referring to the election of Donald Trump, Zelenskiy said, “The attitude of the United States towards Ukraine is very important.”
“Today they are on the side of Ukraine. This is important… America should maintain its position supporting Ukraine, which considers Russia an aggressor. This status should remain intact. One of the key points, and it's very important in any negotiation platform, is that there are still elements to our winning plan.”
According to Speaking to Italian broadcaster RAI, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski supported this position, saying: “There can be no decisions regarding Ukraine without Ukraine.” Sikorski also said that next week, “the most important talks on this crisis will be held in Warsaw” at a meeting of the Weimar Triangle alliance of France, Germany and Poland.
Poland's foreign minister said the meeting would also be attended by representatives from the EU, Italy, the UK and Ukraine, adding that European countries will continue to finance the war even as President-elect Trump seeks to withdraw funding to force Kiev. He said he could make a promise. To the negotiating table.
