G7 foreign ministers also supported Ukraine’s struggle for its “territorial integrity” and used the word “aggression” of Russia, a language previously avoided by Trump as he courted Moscow.
The Group of Seven nations Friday threatened Russia with new sanctions unless it agrees to a ceasefire with Ukraine, in a strong display of solidarity after President Donald Trump shook the club of democracies. Gathering at a country hotel in rural Quebec, the G7 foreign ministers also supported Ukraine’s struggle for its “territorial integrity”. They used the word “aggression,” language previously avoided by Trump as he courted Moscow.
The G7 agreement on Ukraine was reached amid growing tension within the group — Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States — as Trump imposes ruinous tariffs on friends and foes alike and challenges the very sovereignty of host Canada.
A G7 declaration supported a US-led call for a 30-day ceasefire adopted by Ukraine and “called on Russia to respond by consenting to a ceasefire on equal terms and to abide by it fully.” They pondered additional cost imposition on Russia should a ceasefire of such a nature not be agreed, including through additional sanctions, price caps on oil, and additional assistance for Ukraine, and other avenues,” including utilizing frozen Russian assets.
The Group of Seven further considered the “need for strong and credible security arrangements to ensure that Ukraine can deter and defend itself against any renewed acts of aggression.” It didn’t go any further, and Trump has shut the door on welcoming Ukraine to NATO, something detested by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Trump was not keen to impose additional sanctions on Russia but “the US has these options available” should they be necessary. Welcoming the quick US-led diplomacy in the past few days, Rubio said “There’s reason to be cautiously optimistic” regarding the possibility of achieving a truce between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump since his return to office has surprised allies by resuming talks with Putin and temporarily suspending US aid and intelligence sharing that have been crucial to Ukraine since Russia invaded three years ago.
