Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) convened in Canada on Tuesday and reaffirmed their backing for Ukraine, pledging additional support to President Volodymyr Zelensky as Russia intensified its offensive against the country.
The summit, held at a secluded resort in the Canadian Rockies, was overshadowed by a major escalation in the conflict, marked by one of the deadliest missile attacks on Kyiv since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, leaving at least ten people dead.
Zelensky, visibly emotional, arrived at the summit to appeal for continued assistance from Ukraine’s allies. Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada personally welcomed him and announced a fresh military aid package worth 2 billion Canadian dollars (approximately $1.47 billion), which includes drones and helicopters aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
“This emphasizes the urgency of standing with Ukraine without compromise,” Carney said, adding that there must be “maximum pressure against Russia” to curb its aggression.
Alongside this commitment, Carney revealed that Canada, in coordination with the United Kingdom, was taking further measures to restrict Russia’s ability to evade sanctions by targeting its covert network of oil-transport vessels, often referred to as its shadow fleet.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reinforced this position, stating that the new sanctions would undercut President Vladimir Putin’s ability to fund the war. “These sanctions strike right at the heart of Putin’s war machine, choking off his ability to continue his barbaric war in Ukraine,” Starmer declared.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, who had been expected to meet with Zelensky during the summit, made a sudden departure to return to Washington in light of the escalating Iran-Israel conflict.
Trump’s early exit raised eyebrows and prompted speculation, particularly given his historically unpredictable relationship with Zelensky. Although Trump has approved military support in the past, he has also publicly criticized Zelensky, notably accusing him of ingratitude during a February meeting in the White House.
His recent remarks suggest reluctance to intensify sanctions on Russia, reportedly due to a desire to maintain a working relationship with Putin, with whom he had spoken by phone just before the summit began.
Nonetheless, Zelensky continued to call for solidarity from Ukraine’s Western partners. In his remarks to Carney, the Ukrainian president highlighted the emotional toll of the most recent Russian strike and emphasized the necessity for sustained international pressure.
“It’s important for our soldiers to be strong in the battlefield, to stay strong until Russia will be ready for the peace negotiations,” he said.
He reiterated his readiness to embrace a peace process, stating, “We are ready for the peace negotiation — unconditional ceasefire. For this we need pressure.”
French President Emmanuel Macron took a more forceful tone, accusing Putin of leveraging the world’s preoccupation with tensions in the Middle East to carry out the assault on Kyiv. “It shows the complete cynicism of President Putin,” Macron told reporters, lamenting that such a deadly attack could occur amid global diplomatic distraction.
The G7 meeting also tackled ongoing economic and trade disputes, with Trump’s absence casting a notable shadow over the discussions.
A diplomat from one of the participating countries remarked anonymously that while talks might proceed more smoothly without Trump’s presence, his departure diminished the weight of the summit given the U.S.’s role as a global economic power. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stayed behind to represent U.S. interests during the remainder of the meeting.
Tensions over trade have intensified as Trump signaled his intention to introduce sweeping tariffs on both allies and adversaries starting July 9. Although he had postponed the move once before, he has renewed his resolve to overhaul existing trade arrangements.
Speaking to reporters during his return flight, Trump criticized the European Union’s negotiating stance, suggesting that the bloc had failed to offer a fair trade proposal. “We’re either going to make a good deal or they’ll just pay whatever we say they will pay,” he said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded with cautious optimism, indicating that trade talks remain active and “intense and demanding.” While the U.S. has already reached new tariff arrangements with Britain and even rival China, a broader deal with the EU remains elusive.
Elsewhere during the summit, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held direct talks with Trump, describing them as “frank,” particularly regarding Japan’s automobile exports. Despite their discussions, no comprehensive agreement was reached, signaling ongoing uncertainty about the future of global trade under Trump’s leadership.
What you should know
Ukrainian President Zelensky sought urgent support at the G7 summit following a deadly Russian attack on Kyiv.
While Canada pledged military aid and new sanctions were announced by allies, U.S. President Trump’s early departure and hesitation on further sanctions highlighted ongoing divisions.
Meanwhile, trade tensions between the U.S. and EU remain unresolved as Trump prepares for sweeping tariff changes.
