G7 leaders will meet today (Tuesday) to reiterate the unity of
opposition to Putin’s continued brutality in Ukraine.
In the last 24 hours Russia has stepped up its attacks on
Ukrainian cities like Kyiv, killing civilians and cutting off
electricity and communications. This follows Putin’s
orchestration of sham referendums in an attempt to annex four
Ukrainian regions.
Today’s video call, which will also be attended by President
Zelenskyy, is the first gathering of all G7 leaders since
Ukraine’s counter-offensive started to take hold in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister will use the call to urge fellow leaders to
stay the course. She will point out that Ukraine’s military
advances have been made possible thanks to the international
support they are receiving – not just in terms of military aid,
but also humanitarian assistance and the impact of western
sanctions against Russia.
The Prime Minister is also calling for an urgent meeting of NATO
leaders, ensuring allies remain united and resolute in their
opposition to Putin’s behaviour.
Addressing fellow G7 leaders, the Prime Minister is
expected to say:
“The overwhelming international support for Ukraine’s
struggle stands in stark opposition to the isolation of Russia on
the international stage.
“Their bravery in the face of the most brutal acts of
violence has earned the people of Ukraine global
admiration.
“Nobody wants peace more than Ukraine. And for our part,
we must not waver one iota in our resolve to help them win
it.”
Yesterday the Prime Minister spoke to President Zelenskyy to
condemn the recent attacks on Kyiv and the annexation of
Ukrainian territories, and to reiterate the UK’s support.
This year the UK has committed £2.3 billion in military support
to Ukraine, which has enabled the provision of Multiple Launch
Rocket Systems, hundreds of rockets, thousands of rounds of
ammunition, crucial defence vehicles and five air defence systems
including Starstreak.
As the Ukrainian Armed Forces face a difficult winter, the UK is
also providing critical cold weather gear and other forms of
non-lethal support to bolster their resilience.
Later this week, all UN members will vote on Russia’s breach of
the UN Charter with its annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson
and Zaporizhzhia. 141 UN member states voted to condemn Putin’s
full-scale invasion of Ukraine in March, and earlier this month
the majority of UN Security Council members voted against the
recent annexations.
In their call today, G7 leaders are also expected to discuss the
global energy crisis precipitated by Putin’s actions. The group
is currently working to finalise and implement an international
cap on the price of Russian oil, which will further damage
Putin’s revenue stream.
The Prime Minister will point to this action as evidence of what
the G7 can do both to constrain Putin and act as an economic
NATO, defending our countries’ interests.
The Prime Minister is working with fellow leaders to increase our
energy independence and end the global reliance on malign states,
such as Russia, in our critical resources.
