Leaders of G7 countries pledge to stand by Ukraine

Europe, News June 28, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Leaders of the seven wealthy countries pledged to support Ukraine against the Russian invasion as they met for the G7 summit in Germany.

The leaders of the G7 countries, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, France Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kashida, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, UK Prime Minister Borris Johnson and the U.S. President Joe Biden met in Bavaria, Germany, for a summit. They were also joined by two European Union leaders, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Charles Michel.

The joint statement at the end of the summit stated that the group must put in efforts to stop Russia’s increasing aggression towards Ukraine and Europe. The group also said that Russia must stop blocking goods from leaving Ukrainian ports.

The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also joined the meeting through a video link. While addressing the summit, Zelenskyy appealed for more heavy weapons from the Western allies.

G7 leaders are under mounting pressure to become united in their approach against increasing Russian aggression. The European members of the G7 countries are still being pressured by their North American counterparts to stop buying Russian oil and gas products.

The joint statement from the G7 leaders summit stated that “We condemn and will not recognize Russia’s continued attempts to redraw borders by force. This devastating war has produced dramatic consequences far beyond Europe. It constitutes a blatant violation of international law, in particular, a grave breach of the United Nations Charter”.

The statement further said that “Russia must abide by its international commitments, including those which ban the use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.” Leaders of the G7 countries urge Russia to “behave responsibly and exercise restraint, and reiterate that any use of such weapons would be unacceptable and met with severe consequences.”

^{Leaders of G7 countries U.S. President Joe Biden, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz gather for a presentation by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the G7 Summit in Schloss Elmau, June 27, 2022. (Image Credit: The Canadian Press/Paul Chiasson)}

The joint statement from the summit stressed on reiterating joint support on the matter related to the ongoing Ukraine war including humanitarian assistance, accountability of war crimes, and increasing food security. The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to increase economic sanctions on Russia individually as well as collectively.

While speaking at the summit, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that “the price of freedom is worth paying” in supporting Ukraine, and that help must continue to be offered to rebuild its economy, export grain and protect its citizens.