G7 Leaders hold virtual meeting as Russia launches new strikes on Ukraine

Europe, News October 11, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) countries held an emergency meeting on October 11, 2022, to pledge their ‘undeterred’ support for Ukraine after Russia launched a new wave of missile strikes on major Ukrainian cities.

The urgent virtual meeting comes only a day after Russia fired more than 80 missiles toward Ukraine and hit many of the major cities including Kyiv, Lviv, Ternopil, and Dnipro.

Ukrainian military claims that more than half of the missiles were shot down using aerial defense systems, however, major destruction was reported from many cities as an aftermath of Russia’s latest attack. According to Ukrainian officials, the Russian missile attacks left at least 19 dead and more than 105 injured.

Several of the G7 leaders responded to the recent attacks. French President Emmanuel Macron said Russian strikes indicated “a profound change in the nature of this war.”

U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart President Volodymyr Zelenskyy soon after the attacks and promised to send advanced air defense systems to Ukraine. Germany, which currently holds the G7’s rotating presidency, called for an emergency meeting following the latest wave of strikes.

President Zelenskyy joined the G7 meeting. While addressing the meeting via video link, the Ukrainian president stated that “I am asking you to strengthen the overall effort to help financially with the creation of an air shield for Ukraine. Millions of people will be grateful to the Group of Seven for such assistance,” He further warned the Russian side to stop its attacks on civilian settlements as it would further escalate the situation.

*^{U.S. President Joe Biden attending G7 leaders virtual meeting. (Image Credit: Twitter/@POTUS)}*

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida cautioned the group that the threat of nuclear weapons in the conflict “does not at all allow any prediction”. He stressed that this matter “requires serious, close attention” from all sides involved. “For the past 77 years, the world has continued to put a stop to using nuclear weapons. This history of not using nuclear weapons must continue further,” said Kishida.

The Prime Minister of the UK Liz Truss, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were also present during the meeting. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Council Charles Michel also joined the virtual meeting.

Commenting ahead of the meeting, Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that “The mood ahead of the summit is well understood, it is easily predictable. The confrontation will continue,” He further added that Russia will not step back until it “achieves its set goals” in Ukraine.

The recent escalation between the two sides comes after a huge blast that destroyed the Kerch Bridge, Russia’s only transnational link with the Crimean Peninsula. Ukraine had been bracing for a hard retaliation since the blast took place on October 8. Although Ukraine never claimed the responsibility for the explosion, the reaction of Ukrainian officials suggested that the blast was no accident.