Rich nations ‘must’ press govt

More pressure must be exerted on Russia to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday, and urged the G7 nations to ramp up sanctions to achieve that goal.

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Leaders of the world’s largest industrial nations are meeting in Canada’s Rockies with European countries seeking to keep the war in Ukraine firmly on the mind of United States President Donald Trump despite fighting breaking out between Israel and Iran in the Middle East.

With diplomacy at a standstill, the European Union is set to adopt a new sanctions package on Russia, but have so far failed to convince Mr Trump — who has been reluctant to weigh on Russian President Vladimir Putin — to impose new US sanctions.

Mr Trump has said he did not want the sanctions to interfere with getting a ceasefire.