US President Donald Trump stated that the Russia-Ukraine conflict has become "much more difficult" to resolve due to the personal animosity between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Speaking during a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, France, Trump revealed that he recently held "very good talks" with both leaders.
Trump's Remarks on the Conflict
When asked if diplomatic momentum from West Asia could help end the war in Ukraine, Trump acknowledged the challenges. He said, "I had very good talks with President Zelenskyy and with President Putin. And we'd like to see that one end. I ended eight wars, and to be honest with you, I thought this would have been one of the easier ones, but they're not liking each other too much, and that makes it much more difficult."
Sanctions and Oil Prices
Regarding the possibility of reimposing sanctions on Russia, Trump indicated that Washington is assessing the situation. He linked geopolitical developments to global energy markets, stating, "We are looking at that. We are seeing how far the price of oil comes down; it's really tumbling... It's down, it's soon going to be at the number that was four months ago."
G7 Leaders' Support for Ukraine
Earlier, G7 leaders reaffirmed their solidarity with Ukraine, agreeing to increase air defense systems, licenses for military production, and strengthen sanctions on Russia's oil and gas sectors. In a formal declaration, they expressed "unwavering support" for Ukraine and commended its resilience amid the prolonged conflict.
The statement read: "We, the Heads of State and Government of the G7, stand united in our unwavering support for Ukraine as it defends its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. We reaffirm our solidarity with the Ukrainian people, whose vital infrastructure and cultural heritage are under attack. We commend Ukraine for its resilience and the progress it has made on the front lines in recent months, and we emphasize that there is now renewed momentum."
Additional Measures
To boost Ukraine's defense capabilities, G7 leaders agreed to enhance air defense systems, interceptors, and long-range ammunition, while granting licenses to increase Ukraine's military production. They also committed to strengthening Ukraine's energy requirements and providing additional support ahead of winter. The leaders declared their intention to increase pressure on Russia by tightening sanctions on its oil and gas sectors.
Welcoming a peace deal between the US and Iran, the leaders affirmed their resolve to take significant steps to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
