G7 leaders and their partners pose for a commemorative photo. Photo: Reuters
President Trump is in France attending the G7 summit, held in the resort town of Évian-les-Bains. For a long time, the conflict in the Middle East has overshadowed the conflict in Ukraine. Now, the Russia-Ukraine conflict is one of the main focuses of the G7 summit.
President Trump demonstrated a shift in focus towards Ukraine through his phone calls with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on June 14th. The fact that Trump had two meetings with Zelensky in Évian-les-Bains clearly showed this.
Speaking to G7 leaders after his first meeting with Zelensky on the morning of June 16, President Trump said that once the Iran issue is resolved, he will do everything he can to help end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Emir of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Than, Trump also urged Russia to reach an agreement with Ukraine because of the heavy loss of life in both countries during the conflict. He left open the possibility of reimposing an oil embargo on Russia after it was granted an exemption during the US military campaign against Iran.
Europe is optimistic.
President Trump's messages have given European leaders optimism. Writing on social media platform X, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared: “The tide is turning toward Ukraine. Russia’s fatigue is evident. This is the time we need to double our support (for Ukraine).” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz assessed Trump’s call for Russia to end the war as offering hope to many. Merz also commented that Trump’s cooperative and attentive attitude signaled a certain degree of optimism that Europeans and Americans would work together to end the war.
However, the Trump administration's pressure on Russia may not be enough to force President Putin to compromise in peace talks with Ukraine. The American leader argues that the Russia-Ukraine war only boosts arms sales and has "no impact" on the United States, which is thousands of miles away. This rhetoric from Trump may be aimed at urging Europe to play a more active role in the Russia-Ukraine negotiations. Under Trump, Washington cut aid to Kyiv, and Europe is currently the largest supplier of weapons and financial aid to Ukraine.
President Zelensky said that G7 leaders had just committed to increasing support for Patriot missiles at Ukraine's request, as these weapons could prevent Russian ballistic missile attacks on Ukraine's power grid and cities. The G7 also discussed ways to increase arms production and add measures to prevent Russia from exporting oil, engaging in banking transactions, and producing weapons.
During his meeting with Mr. Trump, President Zelensky also raised Ukraine's air defense needs, including the possibility of obtaining licenses to manufacture missiles and advanced ballistic missile defense systems from the United States. However, Mr. Trump is reportedly unlikely to accept this proposal from Ukraine as it could affect the US's position in negotiations with Russia.
KIEN HOA
Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/co-hoi-thuc-day-hoa-dam-nga-ukraine-a207427.html
