US doesn't support G7 statement condemning Russian strike on Sumy - Bloomberg
Photo: Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
The United States of America said it would not support a G7 statement condemning the Russian Federation's strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy, Bloomberg reports.
According to the agency's sources, the administration of US President Donald Trump told the allies that it could not sign a statement condemning the attack because it was "working to preserve the space to negotiate peace". Indeed, meetings between the White House and the Kremlin continue.
According to the same people, Canada, which holds the G7 presidency this year, told its allies that a statement would be impossible without U.S. approval.
According to Bloomberg, the US Embassy in London declined to comment.
Drafts obtained by Bloomberg say that the G7 statement was supposed to say that the attack on Sumy was proof that Russia intends to continue the war.
However, Trump took a different tone on the Sumy attack, calling it "terrible" and saying that Russia "made a mistake."
Russian attack on Sumy on April 13
Last Sunday, the Russians launched a double ballistic missile strike on the city of Sumy. The missiles hit a place with a large concentration of civilians.
Russian attack injured over 100 people and killed at least 35.
A number of world leaders condemned Russia's terrorist attack, in particular, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that Russia was choosing war instead of agreeing to a ceasefire.
Trump, on the other hand, called it a "terrible mistake."
"I was told they made a mistake, it was terrible," Trump said during a conversation with the media.
When journalists asked what he meant by the word "mistake," the American leader did not specify.
US Special Representative Steve Vitkoff visited Russia shortly before the Russian attack on Sumy and met with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
Afterwards, he stated that the so-called five territories were the "key" to ending Russia's war in Ukraine.
