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Marking 1,000 days since Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine, the leaders of the G7 nations committed to supporting Kyiv for âas long as it takesâ.
At the urging of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose country currently controls the rotating presidency of the G7, leaders of the Group of Seven nations Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States adopted a statement committing to âenduring support for Ukraineâ.
In a statement, the G7 said: âWe, the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as it takes. We stand in solidarity contributing to its fight for sovereignty, freedom, independence, territorial integrity and its reconstruction. We recognize, too, the impact of Russiaâs aggression on vulnerable people across the world.
âAfter 1,000 days of war, we recognize the immense suffering endured by the people of Ukraine. Despite these hardships, Ukrainians have demonstrated unmatched resilience and determination in defending their land, culture, and people.
âRussia remains the sole obstacle to just and lasting peace. The G7 confirms its commitment to imposing severe costs on Russia through sanctions, export controls and other effective measures. We stand united with Ukraine.â
The commitment comes amid efforts by U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump to broker a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. According to media reports, Trump will seek a compromise that would include continued Western arming of Ukraine and third-party patrolling of a demilitarized zone in exchange for Kyiv agreeing to cede territory to Moscow and forgo seeking NATO membership for a set period.
Despite failing to regain territory currently controlled by the Russians, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently demanded that Moscow withdraw its forces entirely, including from the Crimean peninsula, as a pre-condition of peace negotiations, a likely non-starter for Vladimir Putin.
On Saturday, Zelensksy said that he would seek to âdo everything we can to end this war next yearâ and that the conflict needs to be ended through âdiplomatic meansâ.
However, in an apparent shot at German Chancellor Olaf Scholzâwho spoke with Putin for the first time in years on Fridayâthe Ukrainian leader urged that Western powers involve Ukraine in any talks and stand behind Kyiv to maximize leverage.
âNegotiations between Ukraine and Russia are possible under the conditions that Ukraine is not alone standing against the Russian Federation, under the conditions that Ukraine is strong. What kind of negotiations are those where you simply talk with the killer?â he said per state media Ukrinform.
Referencing the election of Donald Trump, Zelensky said that âthe attitude of America toward Ukraine is very important.â
âThey are on the side of Ukraine today. This is important⌠America should maintain the position of supporting Ukraine in seeing Russia as an aggressor. This status should remain in place. This is one of the points at the input, which is very important in any negotiation platform. There must still be elements of our victory plan.â
According to Italian broadcaster RAI, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski backed this position, saying there can be âno decision on Ukraine without Ukraine.â Sikorski also said that âthe most important talks on this crisis will be held in Warsawâ next week at a meeting of the âWeimar Triangleâ alliance of France, Germany, and Poland.
The Polish minister also said representatives from the EU, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine will also attend the meeting, which could potentially see European powers commit to continued funding of the war even if President-Elect Trump seeks to withdraw funding to force Kyiv to the negotiating table.
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From the article,
"In a statement, the G7 said: âWe, the Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7), reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as it takes."
"Russia remains the sole obstacle to just and lasting peace."
How do they keep a straight face..?
"Let us aim missiles at you along the border you bigot!!!"