G7 leaders say Russia losing war, call for peace negotiations

At the G7 summit in Evian‑les‑Bains, France, leaders of the United States, France, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy told Reuters that the G7 members unanimously agreed Russia is not winning the war in Ukraine and must be pressured to sit at the negotiating table. The leaders discussed additional sanctions targeting Russia’s energy exports, banking system and military production, and pledged to boost Ukraine’s air‑defence capabilities.

U.S. President Donald Trump said he would do everything in his power to secure a peace deal, even suggesting he could force Vladimir Putin to negotiate. He also hinted that the United States could re‑impose sanctions on Russian oil. The Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov replied that Moscow would welcome Zelenskyy for “serious and responsible” talks in Moscow if the Ukrainian side is ready.

The summit highlighted a rare consensus among the G7 on increasing economic pressure on Moscow while differing on the timing and scope of new sanctions. The statements underscored the ongoing diplomatic effort to end the conflict and the pivotal role of the United States in shaping the next steps.