G7 leaders have agreed to impose new sanctions on Russia and further strengthen military support for Ukraine, according to the final communiqué of the summit held in Evian, France.
The United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and Canada pledged to increase supplies of long-range weapons to Kiev, as well as strengthen the air defense capabilities of the Ukrainian army.
The joint statement says there is a "new momentum" in support of Ukraine, noting the advances made by Ukrainian forces on the battlefield in recent months.
The G7 leaders assessed that this is the right moment to increase pressure on Moscow with new punitive measures, while the communiqué also mentions the US-Iran agreement, which envisages the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, a corridor of strategic importance for global trade and energy.
In addition to military aid, the G7 pledged support for Ukraine in the energy sector, to ensure the country's supply during the coming winter. This assistance is considered essential, as Russian attacks have repeatedly damaged power plants and the power distribution network.
French President Emmanuel Macron, the summit's host, called the decisions a "strategic wake-up call," stressing that they represent a victory for international support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz described the summit as a "day of hope" and spoke of the possibility of creating conditions for peace, referring to Donald Trump's statements that the time has come for Russia and Ukraine to reach an agreement to end the conflict.
