G7 financial leaders agree on further support for Ukraine
Photo: German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeill (Getty Images)
Finance ministers of the G7 group of industrialized nations have agreed to continue supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russia's invasion, Bloomberg reports, citing German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil.
"It became clear that within the G-7 format, support will continue unchanged, and that Ukraine can rely on strong solidarity and substantial support from the G-7 countries," Klingbeil said on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Canada.
However, as of the evening of May 21, the group, which includes the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Japan, as well as a representative of the European Union - had not yet agreed on a final statement that would formalize the commitment mentioned by Klingbeil.
Negotiations ahead of the meeting were accompanied by uncertainty, especially regarding whether the US would maintain its support for Kyiv under President Donald Trump, after he partially blamed Ukraine for the war launched by Russia in February 2022.
"We're working intensely on it - there are still a few points we need to resolve. But I'm cautiously optimistic that we'll get there," said Klingbeil.
Earlier, the German Finance Minister held separate meetings with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko, and other European colleagues.
Meeting in Canada
Support for Ukraine is a topic of discussion at the meeting of G7 financial leaders in the mountain resort town of Banff, Alberta, Canada.
Canada holds the rotating G7 presidency this year and is hosting a series of financial leaders' meetings through May 22. This gathering serves as a precursor to the main summit of heads of state in June. Ukraine is attending the meeting as a guest.
According to Politico, the United States opposes the inclusion of continued support for Ukraine in the G7 summer statement.
