G-7 needs to raise pressure on Russia to secure Ukraine ceasefire, EU chief says
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arriving on June 15 before world leaders meet in Kananaskis in Canada at the G-7 leaders' summit.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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KANANASKIS – More pressure must be exerted on Russia to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on June 15, urging the Group of Seven (G-7) nations to ramp up sanctions to achieve that goal.
Leaders of the world’s largest industrial nations are meeting in Canada’s Rockies with European countries seeking to keep the war in Ukraine firmly on the mind of US President Donald Trump, despite fighting breaking out between Israel and Iran in the Middle East.
With diplomacy at a standstill, the European Union is set to adopt new sanctions on Russia, but has so far failed to convince Mr Trump – who has been reluctant to weigh on Russian President Vladimir Putin – to impose new US prohibitions.
Mr Trump has said he did not want the sanctions to interfere with getting a ceasefire.
“We must put more pressure on Russia to secure a real ceasefire, to bring Russia to the negotiating table and to end this war, sanctions are critical to that end,” Dr von der Leyen told a news conference before Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States begin talks on June 16.
“Last week, we put forward a proposal for an 18 sanctions package. I will invite all G-7 partners to join us in this endeavour.”
Global attention has turned to the Middle East, where strikes by Israel on Iran have raised the risks of an escalation into a broader regional conflict. The subsequent oil price spike has added to concerns over the global economy.
Dr von der Leyen said that in talks with Mr Trump on June 14, the two agreed that like-minded countries should safeguard market stability, notably in the energy markets.
“We will also stay very vigilant (on) what the implications for the international energy markets are concerned,” she added.
Regarding trade negotiations with the Trump administration, she said she preferred a negotiated solution ahead of a July 9 deadline, but that the bloc was preparing contingencies in the event no agreement was reached.
She spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier on June 15.
She reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself, but stressed that a diplomatic solution is the best option in the long term to address Iran’s nuclear programme.
“Iran is the principal source of regional instability, and we’ve always been very clear, Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” she said.
“The recent events have underlined the increasing interlinks between the conflicts in Europe on one hand and the Middle East on the other hand. The same type of Iranian designed and made drones and ballistic missiles are indiscriminately hitting cities in Ukraine and in Israel.” REUTERS
