Full story
G7 presses for deal
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the G7 summit in the French resort of Evian-les-Bains that Russia should "make a deal" to end the war in Ukraine.
“Leaders of the G7 on Tuesday agreed to step up pressure on Russia to end the war that has been ongoing for more than four years in Ukraine, coinciding with U”
Trump’s remarks came as G7 leaders discussed fresh measures targeting Russia’s energy sector and explored ways to push forward peace efforts, including the possibility of a direct meeting between Zelensky and Putin.
The summit also featured Zelensky showing leaders footage of Russian strikes that set a historic cathedral in Kiev ablaze the day before, with the war now described as ongoing for more than four years.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said there was broad agreement among G7 nations on the need to maintain pressure on Russia, adding that "Ukraine has shown that it's able not just to defend itself but to take territory back".
Sanctions, unity, and Zelensky
A French diplomatic source said leaders agreed to "increase pressure on Russia" through new sanctions on gas and oil, described as Russia’s main source of funding for the war.
Trump also signalled a swift return of sanctions on Russian oil shipments, saying "Soon we will be able to do that as the oil is now flowing" through the Strait of Hormuz after the deal with Iran to end the Middle East war.
Zelensky used the summit to renew his appeal for stronger sanctions, arguing that economic pressure remained the most effective tool for compelling Moscow to negotiate, saying "Above all Putin does not want to end this, but he must be forced... first and foremost, through sanctions."
In a separate reaction, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz told reporters that Trump’s statement about Russia’s need to end the war gave him "some optimism" because he found Trump "listening very attentively".
What comes next for Kyiv
The G7 commitments underscored a growing consensus among Western allies that additional economic pressure may be needed if efforts to secure a negotiated end to the war are to gain momentum.
“In short: G7 leaders have agreed to intensify pressure on Russia to end the war with Ukraine”
Zelensky said Ukraine’s priorities were "clear," including increasing the number of air defence missiles, securing a "winter support package" and "cranking up pressure on Russia."
The Russian side, meanwhile, was described by Zelensky as failing to show any serious activity toward peace, with Zelensky calling Russia’s actions "a game."
As the summit continued, Macron invited Zelensky to stay until the end of the three-day summit on Wednesday so he could meet Trump and other G7 leaders, while the U.S. and allies prepared further sanctions targeting Russia’s war effort.
