G-7 Leaders Rally Behind Kyiv But US Blocks Call To Pressure Russia

Zelensky Urges More Support After Trump Leaves Early; Canada Announces $1.8B in Aid

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KANANASKIS, Canada — Group of Seven (G-7) leaders minus US President Donald Trump on June 17 vowed greater support for Ukraine, but the US blocked a joint call to pressure Russia, which is ramping up attacks on its neighbour.

The US President had been due to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, with whom he has had a volatile relationship, at the G-7 summit in Canada, but Mr Trump flew back to the US on June 16 over the Israel-Iran conflict.

Mr Zelensky met the other leaders at a remote lodge in the Canadian Rockies hours after Russia hit Kyiv with one of the worst bombardments since it invaded the country in February 2022, killing at least 16 people in the capital.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed Mr Zelensky and announced C$2 billion (S$1.88 billion) worth of military support, including drones and helicopters, for Ukraine.

"This underscores the importance of standing in total solidarity with Ukraine," Mr Carney told him, calling for "maximum pressure against Russia".

But the G-7 summit was unable to issue a joint statement on Ukraine as "the Americans wanted to water it down", a Canadian official said on condition of anonymity.

The US objected to language condemning Russia, saying it wanted to preserve its role as a mediator with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the official said.