Against the backdrop of Ukraine’s growing military problems in its defense against the Russian attackers, the major Western states have promised further support for the defenders. The heads of state and government of the leading Western economic nations met on Saturday evening as part of a so-called G-7 special summit, some of which took place via video link.
This year, the informal G-7 committee is chaired by Italy, and its Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had called together colleagues from the USA, Canada, Germany, France, Great Britain and Japan for the second anniversary of the Russian invasion; the usual annual summit will take place in Italy in June.
In the detailed joint final declaration, the leaders reaffirm their ongoing support for Ukraine, condemn Russia’s war of aggression and assign responsibility to the Putin regime for the death of dissident Alexei Navalny. It literally says: “He sacrificed his life in the fight against Kremlin corruption and for free and fair elections in Russia.” The Russian leadership was called upon to end the persecution of the political opposition and the systematic suppression of Russians’ human rights.
Ukraine can rely on the support of the G7 “as long as it is necessary,” the statement said. If the Russian war of aggression continues, the G7 wants to increase the pressure on Russia again. Numerous measures have been listed for this purpose. Ukraine is promised further “security policy support” and the West wants to “expand its production and delivery capacities”. The sanctions packages are driving up the price of the war for Russia. Russia and its oligarchs’ billion-dollar assets frozen abroad will remain blocked until Russia pays for the damage it has caused to Ukraine. The EU aid fund totaling 50 billion euros for Ukraine is also expressly mentioned; according to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a first tranche of 4.5 billion euros is to be paid out in March. Aid from the EU is particularly important given that Republicans in Washington are blocking US aid to Ukraine in Congress.
Von der Leyen unexpectedly arrived in Kiev by train that morning with Meloni and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as well as Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croodie, who is currently President of the EU Council. US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz joined the meeting in St. Sophia Cathedral in central Kiev from their countries.
Macron does not attend G-7 meetings
French President Emmanuel Macron played a special role. He canceled his participation in the summit and instead opened an agricultural fair in Paris. Because of the ongoing farmers’ crisis, Macron wanted to spend the whole day there, the presidential office said. Macron had previously spoken bilaterally with Biden on the phone and, according to media reports, he was considering inviting European heads of government to a meeting in Paris. In Italy this was sometimes seen as a deliberate snub against Meloni; The relationship between the party leader of the post-fascist Fratelli d’Italia and the liberal Frenchman is considered tense.
For Meloni, the summit was her first major appearance as G-7 chair. In Kiev, the Italian left no doubt about her determination to continue to support Ukraine. “We guarantee our support to Ukraine because we believe that it also fights for our freedom and our national interests,” Meloni said. “What has happened in the last two years, the repeated outbreaks of crises, is all the result of this invasion. If the rules of international law are broken, we risk ending up in a world in which the militarily stronger one invades his neighbor. “
This is remarkable given the fact that in her coalition formed from three right-wing parties in Italy and also in her own party, the post-fascist Fratelli d’Italia, criticism of Ukraine can be heard again and again and sympathies for Russia can be seen, especially Vice Chancellor Matteo Salvini from the right-wing populist Lega has recently made more and more statements like this.
Heads of government meet Zelenskiy at Hostomel airport
In the morning, the visiting heads of government met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a memorial ceremony at Hostomel Airport, north of Kiev, from where two years ago Russian troops attempted to take the Ukrainian capital Kiev in a surprise attack and failed due to the bitter resistance of the defenders were. Against the backdrop of destroyed vehicles and aircraft, Zelenskiy honored surviving veterans and thanked allies for their help in the defensive battle.
Subsequently, Italy and Canada each concluded a security agreement with Ukraine. France and Germany already have similar contracts with Ukraine. Canada will provide more than two billion euros in military and financial aid this year, Zelensky said. According to media reports, Meloni spoke of a “commitment to immediate and increased cooperation in the event of a future attack on Ukraine.” The new agreement ranges from cooperation in the defense industry to strengthening exchanges in the areas of cyber and intelligence to supporting reforms, humanitarian aid and reconstruction.
On the anniversary, Zelensky made it clear that his country would never admit defeat. “Every normal person wants the war to end. But none of us allow our Ukraine to end.” Von der Leyen and Meloni praised the Ukrainian people’s courage and willingness to defend themselves. The German Commission President said: “The brave people of Ukraine continue to amaze the world.” Meloni assured: “You are not alone. The security of Ukraine is the security of Europe and vice versa.”