Top diplomats to meet Ukraine minister amid war escalation

Top diplomats from the Group of Seven industrialised democracies are meeting Ukraine's foreign minister on Wednesday as Ukraine tries to fend off relentless Russian aerial attacks that have brought rolling blackouts across the country ahead of winter.

- AP

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will participate in a G7 session on Ukraine and defence cooperation.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand is hosting the meeting in southern Ontario as tensions rise between the US and traditional allies like Canada over defence spending, trade and uncertainty over President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan in Gaza and efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he wants to order 25 Patriot air defence systems from the United States. Combined missile and drone strikes on the power grid have coincided with Ukraine's frantic efforts to hold back a Russian battlefield push aimed at capturing the eastern strong-