The G7 leaders underlined their support for Kyiv on Saturday 24 February, the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, promising increased military assistance and new sanctions against Moscow. In addition, on the evening of Monday 26 February, France brought together around twenty partner countries to examine “all the ways in which we can support Ukraine effectively”.
In the statement they issued, the G7 leaders stressed that they would continue to “support Ukraine’s right to self-defence”. They reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine’s long-term security, in particular by concluding and implementing bilateral security commitments and arrangements. On the same day, Ukraine signed similar agreements with Italy and Canada. For Ms von der Leyen, the best guarantee of security would be Ukraine’s accession to the European Union, and she announced that the Commission would present Ukraine’s negotiating framework “in mid-March”.
“We are stepping up our security assistance to Ukraine and are increasing our production and delivery capabilities, to assist the country”, the G7 leaders promised.
“You know very well all we need to keep our sky protected; to strengthen our military on the ground; and you know all we need to sustain and continue our success in the sea; and you know perfectly well that we need all this in time. We are counting on you”, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a speech to the G7. He called for everything possible to be done to ensure that “2024 will be decisive in restoring Ukraine’s long-term security”.
While highlighting European efforts, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, acknowledged that Ukraine must have the means to defend itself now and in the future. “Europe will continue to stand at your side, for as long as it takes with more financial support, more ammunition, more training for your troops, more air defences, and more investment in Europe’s and Ukraine’s defence industries”, she promised. Ms von der Leyen announced as well the opening of a defence innovation office in Kyiv.
The President also delivered 30 vehicles to the National Police of Ukraine and 20 to the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, made available through the EU’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) service. These vehicles will be used to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of war crimes in the occupied territories and contiguous areas.
The G7 also promised that its members would help Ukraine meet its urgent financing needs. While welcoming the financial support already announced, and with US aid still blocked, the G7 urged approval of additional support to bridge Ukraine’s remaining budget deficit for 2024.
Reinforcement of sanctions
Condemning the Russian attacks, the leaders announced that they will continue to increase the cost of war for Russia, degrade Russia’s sources of revenue and impede its efforts to build its war machine. Ms von der Leyen pointed out that since the start of the war, total imports from Russia to the EU had fallen by more than €100 billion, and EU exports to Russia had been cut by more than €50 billion.
“We remain committed to fully implementing and enforcing our sanctions on Russia and adopting new measures as necessary”, they added. And promising that they will impose additional sanctions on companies and individuals in third countries who help Russia. The leaders also warned that they will take appropriate measures, in line with their legal systems, to dissuade financial institutions from supporting the Russian war machine.
The G7 made it clear that it will continue to exert significant pressure on Russian revenues from energy and other raw materials, and to take measures to strengthen compliance with and enforcement of the oil price cap.
The leaders also reiterated their support for Ukraine in its efforts to obtain compensation for losses, injuries and damage resulting from Russian aggression. They asked the ministers to continue their work and to take stock before the Puglia summit in mid-June of all the possible ways in which immobilised Russian sovereign assets could be used to support Ukraine, in accordance with their respective legal systems and international law.
To see the statement: https://aeur.eu/f/b0y (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)