G-7 leaders to continue support for Ukraine
The Group of Seven economic powers plan to continue their commitment to supporting Ukraine, with the U.S. preparing to purchase an advanced surface-to-air missile system for the country. The leaders are expected to agree to impose new sanctions on officials supporting Russia's war on Ukraine, raise tarrifs on Russian oil and raise tarrifs on Russian goods.
The G-7 leaders met in the German Alps and spoke virtually with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During Monday's portion of the three-day annual summit, the leaders focused on Ukraine.
Russia's war on Ukraine, which was launched in late February, was already at the centre of attention as G-7 leaders opened their summit on Sunday.
President Joe Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin has been counting on that somehow NATO and the G-7 would splinter, but we haven't and we're not going to. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the leaders not to cave to fatigue. The leaders have the chance to show Zelenskyy's commitment to supporting Ukraine at the beginning of Monday's session.
According to the person familiar with the matter, Biden is prepared to announce that the U.S. is offering an advanced surface-to-air missile system and additional artillery support to Ukraine.
The U.S. is purchasing NASAMS, a Norwegian anti-aircraft system that is designed to provide medium to long-range defense. The missile system used by the US Capitol is the same one used by the U.S. to protect the sensitive airspace around the White House and the U.S. Capitol.
More ammunition for Ukrainian artillery and counter-battery radars would be included in aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russian forces in the Donbas region.
A senior U.S. administration official said that the U.S. and Europe are united in their goal for a negotiated end to the war. French president Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have tried to facilitate active conversations with Putin and Zelenskyy while also providing arms to Ukraine.
The U.S. has cut off significant talks with Russia and is trying to strengthen Ukraine's battlefield capacity in an effort to bolster its position at the negotiating table.
In response to the war, the G-7 and other world leaders may have to find ways to alleviate energy supply issues and surging prices once winter hits while efforts to disengage from Russian fuel sources.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi has pushed for caps on the price of Russian oil and pipeline gas, and Macron has indicated his support for the idea at Sunday's opening session.
Draghi told the G-7 that he believes that a ceiling on the price of fossil fuels imported from Russia is a geopolitical and social goal as well as an economic and social one.