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The G-7 leaders pledged on Sunday to gradually reduce or halt Russian fuel imports as they met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to reiterate their support and show the unity of Western allies on the Day of Victory in Europe, which marks the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945.
“Reducing fuel supplies from Russia” will hit hard in the main artery of President Putin’s economy and deprive him of the income he needs to finance the war, “the G-7 states said in a statement. members United States, Britain, Canada, Germany, France, Italy and Japan.
“We will make sure we act on time and in the right order, in ways that will give the world time to secure alternative supplies,” they said.
Looking back on World War II, the leaders stressed the unity in their determination not to let President Putin triumph.
“We owe it to the memory of those who fought for freedom during World War II to continue to fight for it today, for the people of Ukraine, for Europe and the global community,” they said.
A telephone conversation between US President Joe Biden, G7 leaders and President Zelenskyy lasted for almost an hour.
The United States also announced new sanctions against Russia over its attack on Ukraine. They include the cessation of Western advertising on Russia’s three largest television stations, the ban on providing services to Russian citizens by US accounting and consulting firms, the extension of further sanctions on Russia’s energy sector, including the ban on wood products, engines and industrial tools, etc.
The White House announced the new sanctions ahead of Victory Day on May 9, when Russian President Putin is expected to speak on Monday about what he calls a special military operation in Ukraine, during a speech before military forces gathered in Red Square.
The United States and its European allies are responding with the message that President Putin is increasingly isolating Russia from the rest of the world and causing tremendous damage to the Russian economy. Ahead of the phone call, British officials said Britain would provide another $ 1.6 billion in military support to Ukraine to help protect it from Russian forces.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid a surprise visit to Ukraine on Sunday, where he visited the northern city of Irpin, which was badly damaged at the start of the war, during Russia’s attempts to take the capital Kiev. The mayor posted pictures of Mr Trudeau on social media on Sunday, and said the Canadian leader was shocked to see damage to civilian homes.
Mr Trudeau’s office later said that “the prime minister was in Ukraine to meet with President Zelenskyy and to confirm Canada’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people.”
In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a televised speech that this Sunday is “a May 8 like no other.”
He said Germany had worked hard to hold accountable its actions during World War II, reconciling with Russia and Ukraine, and committing to the “never again” concept. But Russia’s “barbaric” attack on Ukraine in February brought the war back to Europe, Scholz said, something previously unimaginable.
“Freedom and security will prevail – just as freedom and security triumphed over lack of freedom, violence and dictatorship 77 years ago,” Schulz said in a speech.
The Croatian prime minister also visited Ukraine on Sunday, following reports that a Croatian citizen fighting in Mariupol had been captured by Russian forces. The Croatian government said Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic’s visit was “an expression of solidarity and support” for the Ukrainian leaders and people.
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