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G7 vows unwavering support for Kyiv

20.10.2024 11:15
G7 defence ministers on Saturday met against the backdrop of multiple ongoing military conflicts, pledging "unwavering support" for Ukraine.
Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov (L) shakes hands with Italys Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto at the G7 Ministers Meeting on defence in Naples, Italy, 19 October 2024.
Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov (L) shakes hands with Italy's Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto at the G7 Ministers' Meeting on defence in Naples, Italy, 19 October 2024.Photo: PAP/EPA/CIRO FUSCO

Italy, holding the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) countries, organised the body's first ministerial meeting dedicated to defence, staged in the southern city of Naples that is home to a NATO base.

At the top of the agenda was Russia's war against Ukraine, now in its third year.

"We underscore our intent to continue to provide assistance to Ukraine, including military assistance in the short and long term," read the G7 defence ministers' final statement that pledged "unwavering support".

Along with Italy, the G7 includes the United States, Canada, France, Germany and Britain.

Representatives of NATO, the European Union and Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov also joined the talks.

Kyiv is suffering battlefield losses in the east and faces the prospect of reduced US military support should Donald Trump be elected to the White House next month.

US President Joe Biden urged NATO allies during a visit to Berlin on Friday not to step down in backing Ukraine. Supporters of Kyiv "cannot let up", he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, under mounting pressure from Western allies to forge a winning strategy against Russia, on Thursday presented what he called a "victory plan" to the European Union and NATO.

Its main thrust is a call for immediate NATO membership, deemed unfeasible by alliance members.

It also seeks the clearance to strike military targets inside Russia with long-range weapons, and an undefined "non-nuclear strategic deterrence package" on Ukrainian territory.

Another worry for Ukraine are reports, based on South Korean intelligence, that North Korea is deploying large numbers of troops to support Moscow's war against Ukraine.

(mo)

Source: Reuters, AFP