© picture alliance / Anadolu | Ukrainian Presidency / Handout
Ahead of the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains in France, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, for the invitation. Zelensky emphasized efforts “to persuade Russia to end the war".
In a social media post ahead of the talks, Zelensky outlined the key points he wanted to highlight in his discussions at the G7 summit: “strengthening Ukraine’s air defense and promoting diplomacy to persuade Russia to end the war,” because “peace is desperately needed.”
After his first meeting with all the G7 leaders, Zelensky added: “The priorities are clear: more air defense missiles and licenses to produce them, a winter aid package, and increasing pressure on Russia. It is important that the U.S. is willing to provide support on all these fronts.”
“It is crucial that everything that was discussed is actually carried out. Russia must realize that its war will never be considered normal. I thank everyone who is helping,” Zelensky said.
Among others, Zelensky held talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump stated afterward that he had had “a very good meeting” with the Ukrainian president.
“Look, Russia should reach an agreement,” Trump said. “Russia has lost a tremendous number of people, and so has Ukraine. Last month, a total of 35,000 soldiers were killed—and that’s per month. An average of 25,000 people—mostly soldiers, young, beautiful people—and it’s insane what’s happening there,” Trump said.
The U.S. president also stated that he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, but that “the two leaders don’t like each other at all”.
© picture alliance / Anadolu | Ukrainian Presidency / Handout