Live. G7 summit: Leaders commit to 'unwavering support' for Ukraine

After last night's joint statement, G7 unity will face a new test today.

The first working session of the third and last day of the G7 summit is a much-anticipated discussion on economic imbalances, with a particular focus on the country that Western allies consider the main culprit behind the crippling phenomenon: China.

Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, has warned of a "new China shock" triggered by the glut of low-cost, highly subsidised goods coming from Beijing's state-led economy, which has turned heavily to global exports. Fears of de-industrialisation have gone from abstract to tangible in a short span of time.

While officials admit the grim diagnosis of the problem is widely shared around the table, the prescribed medicine is still under discussion. Europeans will keep an anxious eye on US President Donald Trump, whose stance on Beijing has considerably softened since his much-publicised summit with Xi Jinping in May.

As G7 leaders and Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Evian to discuss efforts to push Russia toward negotiations, Moscow carried out new strikes on Ukraine.

Russian forces launched at least 119 drones against Ukrainian cities overnight, and 97 UAV’s were intercepted by Ukraine’s air defence forces. 

Late on Tuesday night Moscow also attacked the Southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, killing one person and injuring at least seven others, regional authorities said.

Regional police said Russian forces directed dozens of Shahed drones toward residential areas of the city.

The attack damaged civilian sites, including homes and part of Zaporizhzhia's National University, according to authorities.

Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said Kyiv welcomes “the strong G7 statement with new steps to support Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia.”

“G7 once again proves that the world’s strongest democracies stand united with Ukraine and are committed to restoring comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine.” 

In a post on X he also pointed out at the G7 leaders’ readiness to “take concrete steps toward strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities, air defence, and energy resilience, as well as tightening sanctions against Russia.” 

“While Russia shows no willingness to engage in good-faith diplomacy, the available leverage needs to be used to finally bring it to the negotiating table.”

Ahead of this G7 summit, European officials sounded pessimistic about the prospect of releasing a joint statement addressing the wars in Ukraine and Iran, two contentious issues that have often divided the allies, with the United States on one side and the others (the G6) on the other. Last year in Canada, disagreements prevented agreement on common wording for geopolitical matters.

However, momentum began building throughout Tuesday, and negotiators aptly seized the momentum to release a three-page statement on "geopolitical issues" overnight, as we've just reported.

For Europeans, having Donald Trump sign up to a text that promises to increase support for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia is, in and of itself, a major diplomatic victory. The win is particularly sweet for the host, French President Emmanuel Macron, who is taking part in his last G7 summit before leaving office next year.

Credit: Associated Press

G7 leaders are "ready to consider" issuing military production licenses to Ukraine and have agreed to increase arms deliveries, according to a joint statement released yesterday evening.

"We commend Ukraine for its resilience and progress on the battlefield in recent months and emphasise there is now a new momentum. To support and accelerate this new momentum, we agree to increase the delivery of air defence capacities, additional systems and interceptors, and long-range capabilities," the statement said.

"We are also ready to consider extending to Ukraine the benefit of licenses to allow for an increase in Ukraine’s military production."

Kyiv wants to be able to manufacture interceptors for anti-ballistic Patriot systems in Ukraine and Zelenskyy confirmed on Tuesday that he had once again raised the issue with US president Donald Trump at the G7 summit.

The Patriot air defence system remains the only surface-to-air missile system in Ukraine's arsenal capable of countering Moscow's ballistic missile threat. Produced in the United States by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, Patriot missile systems have become a cornerstone of air defence for many US allies, particularly in the Gulf region, as well as for Ukraine.

G7 leaders adopted a joint statement last night expressing "unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity."

The leaders praised Kyiv for the new momentum it has built on the battlefield, and pledged to back it with increased deliveries of air defence systems, additional interceptors, and long-range capabilities.

The recent US-Iran framework deal has added momentum to efforts aimed at constraining Russia’s war-financing capabilities, with leaders pledging tougher sanctions on its energy sector.

The statement commits the G7 economies to backing Ukraine through the coming winter, when Russia has typically targeted the country's energy infrastructure during periods of extreme cold.

It's the third and final day of the G7 summit in Évian, France.

The agenda is lighter today, with just three main events:

• A working session in the morning focused on "Promoting balanced, shared and sustainable economic growth"
• A working lunch about "Ensuring a safe, rapid and effective deployment of artificial intelligence"
• A press conference with the summit's host, French President Emmanuel Macron, in the afternoon

Stay tuned for updates on our live blog!