The G7 industrialized nations are “strongly united” in their support for Ukraine until it achieves “victory” over Russia, France said today, as Britain urged more firearms for Kyiv to keep the pressure on Vladimir Putin. “It is critical at this juncture that we keep pressure on Vladimir Putin by providing more weapons to Ukraine and rising sanctions,” British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said as she arrived for her Group of Seven counterparts’ second day of talks.
“G7 unity has been critical during this crisis,” she added. The G7 countries, according to French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, are “very strongly united” in their determination to “continue in the long term to support Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty until Ukraine’s victory.”
The foreign ministers are meeting for three days in the German resort of Wangels, which currently holds the group’s presidency.
The Ukrainian conflict is expected to dominate the agenda, with Ukrainian and Moldovan international leaders Dmytro Kuleba and Nicu Popescu among those invited.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, but Ukrainian forces drove Moscow’s forces out of Kyiv, and the conflict is now in its third month.
Western countries have provided Ukraine with weapons such as artillery, anti-aircraft missiles, anti-tank weapons, and other powerful equipment, but Kiev has pressed its allies for more assistance.
Mr. Le Drian also emphasised the global implications of what he called a “long-term conflict…particularly in the area of food security.”
On Thursday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also emphasised the growing impact of the war on poorer countries.
“We have a special responsibility as the strongest industrialised democracies,” the minister said, to assist poorer nations in dealing with the war’s food and energy shortages.
