Macron hails G7 ‘real progress’ on Ukraine; Meloni seeks EU negotiator

Evian-Les-Bains, France: G7 leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine at their summit in France, with French President Emmanuel Macron describing the outcome as “real progress” and citing strong agreement among member nations.

Macron said leaders had held an in-depth discussion on Ukraine and agreed to increase air defence support. He said the G7 backed Ukraine’s request for licensing arrangements to produce some military equipment domestically.

“The balance of power has profoundly shifted in recent months,” Macron said, argu­ing Ukraine was advancing while Russia was retreating.

He added the G7 would continue supporting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and efforts to counter Russia’s shadow fleet.

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni welcomed the agreement reached with US President Donald Trump on Ukraine, saying such unity “cannot always be taken for granted”. 

She said she would propose appointing a single EU negotiator on Ukraine at this week’s EU summit in Brussels.

Meanwhile, Trump said he had held “very good talks” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin and hoped to see the conflict end. 

Whether Putin was responsible for the war, Trump declined to comment, saying he was focused on efforts to resolve the conflict. 

On possible additional sanctions against Russia, he said the US was reviewing the issue and monitoring falling oil prices.

—Agencies