The leaders of the world's dominant economic powers again threw their weight behind Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, committing to support his nation's fight against the Russian invasion for "as long as it takes".
After conferring via video call with the Ukrainian president at this year's Group of Seven summit in the German Alps, G7 leaders again underscored their commitment to Ukraine, with plans to pursue price caps on Russian oil as well as new tariffs and other sanctions.
In addition, the United States will provide an advanced surface-to-air missile system for Kyiv — Mr Zelenskyy's top request — to help Ukraine fight back against Vladimir Putin's aggression.
The new efforts by the leaders came as Mr Zelenskyy openly worried that the West has become fatigued by the cost of a war which is contributing to globally soaring energy prices.
According to a US national security advisor, the Ukrainian leader was "very much focused on trying to ensure that Ukraine is in as advantageous a position on the battlefield as possible" in the coming months.
Mr Zelenskyy told the leaders that now is not a time for negotiations with Russia, as Ukraine first needs to be in a stronger position, according to a senior French diplomat, who said the Ukrainian leader will negotiate once he is in a position to do so.
"His goal is to end the war as quickly as possible and to get out of it in the best possible position so that he can negotiate from a position of strength," the diplomat said, adding that Mr Zelenskyy told the summit leaders that he needed economic, financial, and military support.
What will the new support look like?
Despite G7 leaders pledging their continuing support for Mr Zelenskyy, it will ultimately fall on Ukraine to decide on a future peace settlement.
Leaders are finalising their deal to seek a price cap on Russian oil during the three-day summit, the details of which, including how it will work and its impact on the Russian economy, are to be resolved by G7 finance ministers.
In addition to a price cap, the world's largest democratic economies plan to raise tariffs on Russian imports to their countries, with the US announcing new tariffs on 570 categories of goods, as well as sanctions targeting Russia's defence supply chains.
Additional material aid for Ukraine includes more ammunition for artillery, as well as counter-battery radars to support its defences in the Donbas.
Additionally, the US is announcing a $US7.5 billion ($10.8 billion) commitment to help Ukraine's government meet its expenses, as part of a drawdown of the $US40 billion military and economic aid package signed last month.
What are G7 leaders saying?
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the summit host, said the G7 countries' policies on Ukraine were "very much aligned."
After meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Mr Scholz said that, "we are taking tough decisions, that we are also cautious, that we will help … Ukraine as much as possible but that we also avoid that there will be a big conflict between Russia and NATO."
Mr Scholz has said that he wants the G7 to discuss the outlines of a "Marshall Plan for Ukraine," referring to the US-sponsored plan which helped revive European economies following World War II.
US President Joe Biden hopes to use the trip to demonstrate the unity of the coalition to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, urging allies to do even more.
It is an important moment for the US President, who is seeking to counter doubts about the West's endurance as the war grinds into its fifth month.
Britain's Boris Johnson also said that under the circumstances, the G7 must "continue to help the Ukrainians to rebuild their economy, to get their grain out, to export their grain, and, of course, we have to help them to protect themselves. And that's what we're going to continue to do."
With the war still in progress and destruction mounting by the day, whatever plan the leaders put forward at this stage is unlikely to be very detailed. According to Mr Scholz, "rebuilding Ukraine will be a task for generations."
The G7 is already committed to helping finance Ukraine's immediate needs, as finance ministers from the group last month agreed to provide billions in economic aid to help Kyiv keep basic services functioning, and prevent tight finances from hindering its defence against Russian forces.
ABC/AP
