G7 Leaders Back Ukraine, Tighten Pressure on Russia as Trump Urges a Deal

Leaders of the G7, meeting in Evian-les-Bains, France, said on Wednesday that they remain united in support of Ukraine, including its territorial integrity, and agreed to intensify pressure on Russia’s war economy. In a joint statement, they said they plan to strengthen sanctions on Moscow, including in the oil and gas sector.

The same statement welcomed the agreement reached between the United States and Iran, and said the G7 is ready to help carry it out. The leaders also said they will work to diversify energy supply routes, reduce dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, and increase energy reserves.

At the summit, US President Donald Trump repeated his recent message on the war in Ukraine. According to The Guardian, he said there was “great hostility” between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which makes a settlement harder. Trump said he would do everything he could to advance a resolution and added that “Russia needs to make a deal.”

Trump said Moscow had “lost a great many people, just like Ukraine,” and called the death toll “unacceptable.” The Guardian also reported that Trump spoke with Zelensky and Putin on Sunday before leaving for the G7 summit, and claimed both leaders were open to meeting. European leaders at the summit are urging Trump to try to break the deadlock, including by promoting a proposal to host talks between Zelensky and Putin in the United States. Zelensky, who was invited by French President Emmanuel Macron, is seeking to renew Trump’s involvement now that the US may have more room to focus on Ukraine after a 60-day ceasefire with Iran.